Google Cloud will work with the British government to upgrade the technology used in public services and upskill up to 100,000 civil servants as part of a state push for AI and digital.
The partnership includes a wide scope of services used in the public sector set to be upgraded by the cloud team of the tech giant, from the NHS to local councils. The government has projected it could save £45bn with improved efficiency in public services.
Google’s DeepMind team will also collaborate with government officials to support the deployment of new technologies, with a focus on AI.
“Without deals like this in place, we had hundreds of public sector organisations going it alone in negotiations with big tech companies – leaving them without the market clout they need to get the best deal,” said Tech Secretary Peter Kyle.
“Britain will be using more technology, in more areas and more than ever before. So, my message to the big technology companies is clear: bring us your best ideas, your best tech, and your best price.”
The collaboration will also include an ambitious public sector worker training scheme that aims to see as many as 100,000 civil servants given greater digital and AI skills by 2030.
The Google Cloud training programme will run parallel to its work supporting public services and will work towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s goal of putting a tenth of civil servants in tech-focused roles over the next five years.
“Google Cloud is proud to be a strategic partner of the UK Government as they embark on this ambitious digital transformation. As the country evolves, the flexibility of Google Cloud will help the government lead the AI era,” said Tara Brady, president of Google Cloud for the EMEA region.
“We are deeply committed to empowering the UK public sector with the technical skills and innovative AI-powered solutions required to build a truly modern, secure and efficient digital future, delivering tangible benefits to citizens and driving significant economic value.”
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