TPL AI Upskilling Initiative: Successes and Outcomes

From April 2025 to December 2026, Toronto Public Library’s Artificial Intelligence Upskilling Initiative bridges the growing AI divide by providing training to 11,000 community members and offering Torontonians access to generative AI tools, skills training and programs to support employment, boost productivity and encourage safe use of AI.

Building on TPL’s proven record of broadening digital access and inclusion, this new initiative provides peer learning circles, 1:1 access to experts, hands-on workshops, professional scale conferences, independent access to tools through TPL’s technology spaces – something for every Torontonian. Best practices and lessons learned are shared with the library community.

Updated: August 1, 2025

Customer Successes and Outcomes

From April to August 2025, TPL delivered 30 learning circle cohorts, reaching X unique participants and X session visits and a X% program satisfaction. X% of survey respondents indicated increased confidence in using AI tools.

Below is a small sampling of feedback shared by customers:

“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the fantastic Learning Circle experience. I truly believe you’ve done an outstanding job of creating a fun, creative, and effective learning community.”
“I also wanted to say a big thank you and shoutout to TPL for providing this course and the learning circle. The sessions were informative and as you stated in the first session, the learning circle was a key factor in completing the course, it helped me stay on track and motivated to finish. Extremely grateful for the work and services the TPL provides.”
“You are amazing, I love how you engage everyone & appreciate the interactive & insightful sessions… I come from the world of recruitment and love all the wonderful interactions from humans (all of us in this case) learning all things AI, what an incredible group!”
“Thank you for offering this course, and for free. TPL is a real treasure and we are so lucky to have it in our city.”
One of the best decisions I have made: to register for this learning circle. Right from the facilitators to the content quality, amazing!!”
“It was wonderful to be part of this learning circle. Concepts are thoroughly explained. Would love to join next topic, whenever available. I finished course and got my certificate yesterday.”

Posted on LinkedIn (see screenshot below): “Thrilled to share that I’ve completed the Google AI Essentials certificate! I highly recommend this course to someone who is curious to learn the fundamentals about AI, regardless of their background in IT or non-IT fields. A huge thank you to the Toronto Public Library for providing an access to this incredible course by Google at Coursera.”

Spotlighted in the Media

Betakit (June 4, 2025) – “Google allocates $13 million in funding to strengthen Canada’s AI workforce”
BNN Bloomberg (June 4, 2025) – “Google Canada launches $13 million AI Opportunity Fund”
Canadian HR Reporter (June 5, 2025) – “Google invests $13 million for AI skills development, training across Canada”
Coin Geek (June 18, 2025) – “Google invests $13 million to upskill Canadian workers”
Google Canada Blog (June 4, 2025) – “Helping Build Canada’s AI Workforce with a $13 Million AI Opportunity Fund”
iPolitics (June 5, 2025) – “An AI opportunity agenda for Canada”
Mobile Syrup (June 4, 2025) – “Toronto Public Library and others to benefit from Google Canada AI fund”
Now Toronto (June 6, 2025) – “Google Canada funds new AI training program headed to Toronto Public Library branches”
Toronto Today (June 4, 2025) – “Toronto Public Library snags ‘transformational’ $2.7M Google AI grant”

Promoting Learn AI to Our Communities

Sample In-Branch Materials

Learn AI postcards (front of postcard pictured below) were distributed to TPL branches, at community outreach events and through community partners.

Promotional signage were displayed on LCD screens at TPL branches.

Innovator in Residence (front of postcard picture below) were distributed to TPL branches, at community outreach events and through community partners.

The Innovation Hubs