Caldwell, N.J. — March 27, 2026. In recognition of National AI Literacy Day, Caldwell University announced today that it is offering the Google AI Professional Certificate at no cost to students, faculty, and staff — marking a significant milestone in the University’s institutional commitment to AI literacy and workforce readiness.

The initiative is made possible through Caldwell’s participation in the Google AI for Education Accelerator program, a selective partnership that places the University among a network of leading institutions leveraging Google’s AI tools and curriculum to prepare students and professionals for an AI-enabled workforce.

“AI literacy is no longer a specialized skill — it is a foundational one,” said Jennifer Fischer, Chief AI Officer and Director of the Institute for Innovation & Emerging Technologies (IIET) at Caldwell University. “By making this certificate available to every member of our campus community at no cost, we are ensuring that all Caldwell students, faculty, and staff are equipped with the skills employers are actively hiring for today.”

According to LinkedIn’s Skills on the Rise report, AI literacy is the #1 fastest-growing skill requested by employers across every industry, from education and finance to healthcare. Job listings mentioning AI or generative AI have grown significantly, with a 70% year-over-year increase in U.S. roles requiring AI literacy reported in 2026, and companies are increasingly prioritizing skills-based hiring that values AI fluency alongside traditional credentials.

The Google AI Professional Certificate credential was developed by Google’s own AI expert practitioners, in partnership with the Burning Glass Institute and the Skills-First Workforce Initiative, a coalition of 12 of America’s largest employers. Through seven hands-on courses — spanning AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, research, writing, content creation, data analysis, and app building — learners apply skills directly to real workplace tasks. Upon completion, participants leave with a portfolio of AI projects and a verified Google credential that can be added directly to a LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV.

Caldwell University’s participation in the Google AI for Education Accelerator reflects a broader institutional investment in innovation and emerging technologies. The University was also recently selected for the New Jersey AI Hub Faculty Futures AI Studio, underscoring its position as a regional leader in AI-integrated higher education.

For more information about Caldwell University, visit www.caldwell.edu.