Friday, November 7, 2025 6:00 pm
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Nov. 7, 2025) – Today, Google and the Oklahoma City Thunder announced they are joining forces to accelerate AI in Oklahoma. The collaboration is part of Google’s statewide $5 million commitment to equip Oklahoma’s students and its workforce with critical AI and job-ready skills.
The announcement was made during the “AI Business Summit” hosted by Google and the Thunder to share insights on both national and state AI initiatives and opportunities, practical AI tools for business productivity and innovation, and AI demos. More than 150 professionals representing various sectors including business, education, healthcare, and technology took part in the summit. Attendees also heard directly from U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice who shared comments on the untapped potential of AI on the local economy.
“To maintain our economic strength, we must equip our workforce with the skills of tomorrow,” said U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice. “This collaboration between Google and the Thunder is a powerful commitment to that goal, funding critical AI training for our educators, students, and workers. It’s about building a diverse, homegrown talent pipeline that ensures every Oklahoman has the chance to succeed in the AI-driven world.”
“AI is the next great opportunity for Oklahoma's economy,” said U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin. “We are grateful to Google and the Oklahoma City Thunder for their commitment to Oklahoma students and businesses, to ensure our workforce is not only ready for this transformation, but is in a position to lead it.”
Google’s commitment aims to support Oklahoma City Thunder to create a comprehensive AI-ready ecosystem across Oklahoma. With Google’s funding, the Thunder will launch new AI sports programming for students, AI training for educators, and advance tech-forward solutions and emerging technologies while bolstering the entrepreneurial landscape.
“This collaboration unites two global brands with a shared vision: to accelerate the responsible use of AI in education and innovation,” said Will Syring, Thunder Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “By combining our strengths, we’re empowering learners, educators, and creators here in Oklahoma to unlock new possibilities and shape a smarter, more connected future.”
The broader statewide commitment also includes funding to help launch a new Master’s in AI at Oklahoma State University (OSU) through the university’s Foundation and expand workforce development programs with the Center for Employment Opportunities and Atlas School. Furthermore, the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance’s new digital badging program will ensure students have verifiable credentials to track their skills and connect with future employment opportunities.
“OSU’s collaboration with Google reflects our commitment to enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for our students and cultivating relationships that advance OSU’s land-grant mission across the state,” said Kyle Wray, Senior Vice President for System Affairs at OSU. “As the state’s leader in workforce development and continuing education, OSU is uniquely positioned to empower students to land not just jobs but fulfilling careers, and this is just another positive example of how we’re expanding higher education opportunities for all Oklahomans.”
“Google’s support sends a powerful message: that innovation must include everyone,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “By integrating AI education into reentry programming, people returning home from incarceration have a real opportunity to thrive in the modern economy. Google’s leadership ensures that justice-impacted individuals in Oklahoma aren’t left behind, but instead equipped to lead in a workforce transformed by technology.”
"We’re supporting organizations across the state that are providing the critical training needed to build a strong foundation of local talent, empowering local businesses to grow with AI today, and creating new career pathways for tomorrow,” said Jeremy Dautenhahn, Head of Cloud for Southeast Region at Google. “Together with the Oklahoma City Thunder and other local organizations, we’re helping to develop a diverse and skilled workforce that will drive the next generation of innovation and power Oklahoma's economic future."
About Google in Oklahoma
Google has proudly called Oklahoma home for nearly two decades. In 2024 alone, the company’s investments and technologies helped provide more than $2.2 billion of activity for tens of thousands of Oklahoma businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators and developers.
In August, Google announced a new $9 billion investment, including the development of a new data center campus in Stillwater and the expansion of the existing facility in Pryor, as well as expanded education and workforce development programs. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are also part of the Google AI for Education Accelerator, giving Sooners and Cowboys — students, faculty and staff — no-cost access to Google Career Certificates and AI training courses.
Technologies like Search, YouTube, Google Cloud and Workspace are enabling growth for businesses and public sector organizations across the state. For example, the State of Oklahoma leverages Google Cloud AI to accelerate digital transformation across its agencies, and small businesses like Family Vision Care of Ponca City use Gemini for Google Workspace to help patients make more informed optometric care decisions.
