CHICAGO, Illinois: Adtalem Global Education said it will partner with Alphabet's Google Cloud to launch a first-of-its-kind AI credential program for healthcare students and professionals, aiming to prepare clinicians to safely and effectively use artificial intelligence in clinical practice.

Set to debut in 2026, the program will offer participants hands-on experience with Google Cloud's suite of AI tools, including Gemini models and Vertex AI services. Students and practicing clinicians across Adtalem's universities, such as Chamberlain University and Walden University, will earn a credential certifying their proficiency in applying AI to healthcare settings.

Adtalem said the curriculum will include coursework on AI applications in clinical care, ethical and safety standards, and hands-on use of healthcare-specific AI tools that are increasingly being integrated across hospitals and clinics.

The initiative comes amid a rapid push by healthcare systems to deploy AI in areas ranging from diagnostics to administrative workflows, even as many physicians and nurses remain underprepared to use the technology.

"Our partnership with Google Cloud gives our students a competitive edge in their careers — whether they're treating patients, providing mental health counseling, or leading healthcare teams," said Michael Betz, Adtalem's chief digital officer.

"Our graduates will enter the workforce confident in using AI to enhance their clinical decisions, spend less time on paperwork, and more time connecting with patients," he added.

Adtalem serves more than 91,000 students and counts 365,000 alumni across its institutions. The company said the program aligns with its mission to address critical workforce shortages in healthcare through technology-driven education.

Brent Mitchell, vice president of Google Public Sector, said the collaboration aims to help healthcare professionals adopt AI "safely, responsibly and effectively."

The partnership also comes as the U.S. healthcare workforce faces record burnout and attrition. A Harris Poll released last month found that more than half of U.S. healthcare workers are actively looking to leave their current jobs. The survey also showed 42 percent fear AI could replace parts of their role, while fewer than half — 41 percent — said they feel comfortable using AI tools in their current work.