Government partners with tech firms to boost AI skills of UK workforce

The Government has announced a new initiative aimed at equipping UK workers with the skills needed to adapt to the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the workplace. The AI Opportunity Forum brings together major technology companies and business groups in a partnership designed to expand access to AI skills training across the country. Led jointly by Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan and Microsoft UK CEO Clare Barclay, the forum includes firms such as Google, Amazon, IBM, and PwC, along with organisations including the CBI and the Trades Union Congress. It will focus on practical ways to help individuals and businesses make the most of AI technologies and ensure the UK’s workforce can adapt to their growing use.

The forum has identified three key areas of focus: increasing awareness of how AI is already being used in everyday work, improving access to relevant training and tools for workers and employers, and helping organisations – particularly SMEs – understand how to adopt AI in a way that boosts productivity.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s broader National AI Strategy and builds on recent commitments to support the UK’s science and technology sectors. It also responds to growing concerns about skills gaps in areas such as data science, machine learning, and automation – all seen as increasingly vital to economic growth.

While the programme is still in its early stages, participating companies have already launched a series of new training schemes as part of the forum’s work. Google has pledged to train 500,000 people in the UK by 2026 through its AI-focused training initiatives, and Amazon Web Services is rolling out free AI and cloud computing courses for adults with no prior tech experience.

The forum’s organisers say they will consult further with businesses, educational institutions, and workers over the coming months to develop and expand its plans. A progress update is expected in the autumn.

According to the Government, around one in five UK businesses is already using some form of AI, with that number expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Ministers argue that improving skills and access now will help ensure businesses – and the wider workforce – are prepared for the opportunities and challenges the technology presents.