Ten tips on how to learn the new way to cloud at Google Cloud Next ‘23

There’s been an explosion in demand for generative AI skills in the past six months, and it just keeps growing. The productivity savings from gen AI alone could add trillions of dollars in value to the global economy.¹ That’s why this year at Google Cloud Next, we’ve made learning new generative AI skills a top priority, with the latest cloud technology front and center stage! Check out everything we have available for developers to learn at the Innovators Hive during Next, covering all the in-demand cloud skills and new technology you need to be successful today and in the future.

This August 29-31, join us at Next in San Francisco to gain access to these unique learning opportunities, from training workshops and certification renewals, to demos and learning challenges. Come and collect special swag, get hands on with the latest cloud technology, and connect with experts in the community. We have so much planned that you do not want to miss! Secure your ticket and register today. 

Already have your ticket? Here are ten ways to accelerate your learning at Google Cloud Next. 

1. Complete your no-cost Generative AI skill badge and pick up limited edition swag 

Time to show off your knowledge and skills by earning the new, no-cost Generative AI Fundamentals skill badge before or during Next. Watch the videos, and complete the short quizzes, earn the skill badge, and share on your social channels with #GoogleCloudBadge. Show us your skill badge at the Learning & Certification booth to pick up your limited edition swag at Next. Get started on the skill badge today.  

2. Boost your brainpower - Add a training workshop to your agenda   

Whether you’re conjuring your first VM and meandering through the mysterious mazes of gen AI, or showcasing a shiny new Associate Cloud Engineer certification on your wall, you can help turbocharge your career by attending one of our training workshops. Individuals who get Google Cloud trained and certified report higher salaries and greater confidence in their work², so prioritize the time to invest in yourself. Sessions are available for a variety of skill levels, and will be delivered as gamified competitions, hands-on learning, in-person training, in-person presentations, and re-certification testing. With swag available for learning leaders, you’ll come away with new cloud skills that will help advance your career. Book your training workshop seat today - seats are filling up fast! 

3. Say hi to us at the Learning & Certification booth in the Innovators Hive  

Is it just us, or does it feel like it’s been way too long since we met in real life? Drop by the Learning and Certification booth to chat with training experts, interact with the latest learning materials, pick up swag, find out the latest skills credentials, and even snap a photo at our photowall (props included!). 

4. Unlock great learning benefits with Innovators Plus 

Spoiler alert: If you have a full three-day conference pass for Next, you already have amazing learning benefits at your fingertips through Innovators Plus. These include access to all the on-demand training available on Google Cloud Skills Boost, a certification voucher, $500 in Google Cloud credits, with a bonus of $500 additional credits when you get Google Cloud certified. You also get access to invite-only events including quarterly technical briefings, live learning events, and the opportunity to schedule up to two 1:1 consultations with Google Cloud experts. Be sure to link your Developer Profile to your Next registration (review the “Google Developer Profile” tab of the Next FAQs if you need help with this), and look out for an email from Innovators Plus to unlock these additional benefits. 

5. Join the 2023 Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge 

Are you ready to take your Google Cloud skills to the next level? Join the Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge, created in collaboration with The Drone Racing League (DRL), where you can predict drone racing results using DRL data, provide tips to DRL pilots, and help them enhance their season performance.

The Challenge opens on August 15th at 12:01 AM PDT to all developers, regardless of skill level, and lets you explore the power of Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools. Through the challenge, you can:  

• Analyze real-world data with BigQuery and Dataflow 

• Create predictive models with AutoML and TensorFlow

• Deploy a trained model using Vertex AI

• Compete against fellow data enthusiasts 

Register for Next to participate in the 2023 Google Cloud Fly Cup Challenge. 

6. Renew your Associate Cloud Engineer certification 

If your Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer certification expired in 2023 — or is about to — we have an exciting opportunity for you: renew your Associate Cloud Engineer certification onsite at Next ‘23! Take 90 minutes to complete a hands-on lab to test your skills, and renew your certification. If you’re interested in participating in the preview, register for Next and include your Associate Cloud Engineer certification link in your Next registration profile (See image 1). If you’re already registered, navigate to your Next profile by clicking on your avatar in the top right. On your Next profile page, click on the “Champions/Cloud Certification” box and include the requested information. This will allow you to pre-register for the Associate Cloud Engineer public preview.

7. Complete the Cloud Quizathon in the Persona Areas 

Find your Persona Area in the Innovators Hive and take 10 minutes to play the Google Cloud Quizathon, where you can test your Google Cloud knowledge and win prizes. This fun and interactive quiz-based game will test your knowledge of basic Google Cloud concepts.  Answer as many questions as you can and earn your spot on the leaderboard. Top winners on each leaderboard will get prizes including swag, button pins, stickers, and more.

8. Join a Cloud Learning breakout session 

Interested to learn more about the impact training and certification can have on your organization’s culture? Learn how customers have transformed their teams through investing in training and certification with Google Cloud. Explore how to prepare for the most in-demand Google Cloud certification exams and find out about the latest generative AI learning resources available from Google Cloud. Review the Cloud Learning and Certification playlist and add sessions to your schedule. 

9. Learn the latest and make new connections at the Community Hub

Prepare to embark on a quest for connections in Innovators Hive. Dive headfirst into the latest on Google Cloud at our lightning talks stage in the Community Hub and feel free to come chat, connect, and learn about different Google communities to find the right one for you. Be sure to add the Community Hub lightning talks to your agenda. 

10. Live it up at the Champions and Certified Lounge 

Exclusively for Champion Innovators and the Google Cloud Certified community, come visit the lounge to relax or network. There will be light refreshments and snacks, curated lightning talks, and a photowall to capture and share your experiences. Make sure to identify yourself as a Champion Innovator or Google Cloud Certified when you register for Next on your Profile page (see image 1). 

We are counting down the days to our biggest event of the year. Are you in? Come learn with us at Next in San Francisco — we hope to see you there! Register today.

^{1. McKinsey Digital, June 14, 2023. ‘The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier’
2. Based on survey responses from the 2020 Google Cloud certification impact report.}