The British government is rolling out free AI training programmes with the goal of upskilling 10 million workers by 2030.
The training schemes, which are to be delivered via various partner organisations including the NHS and techUK, have been conceived in line with the government’s ambition to establish the country as the fastest adopter of AI in the G7.
Various AI development courses have been made open to all UK adults with the goal of creating a baseline competency with the use of the technology in the workplace, covering skills such as document drafting and automating administrative duties.
The government has described the scheme as the biggest targeted training programme since Harold Wilson started the Open University.
“We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI. Change is inevitable, but the consequences of change are not. We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
“That starts with giving people the skills and confidence they need to seize the opportunities AI brings, putting the power and control into their hands.”
Other partners to the AI training plan include British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Multiverse, Barclays, BT, Google, Microsoft, Sage and Salesforce.
A funding pool of £27m has also been allocated to the TechLocal scheme, launched to help businesses create new tech roles.
“AI is moving at an incredible pace and presents huge opportunity for productivity and growth,” said Phil Smith, chair of Skills England and co-chair of the Digital Skills Council.
“Skills England has worked rapidly with tech companies to make sure the courses chosen for the AI Skills Boost programme provide the quality and capability businesses need right now.
“It’s also a huge step forward that everyone who completes these short courses will get digital badges that properly recognise what they’ve learned. It’s a simple idea that will make a huge difference.”
