Here are the tech companies which will offer AI training in the UK as part of a new government deal
A fifth of the UK workforce will be supported with AI skills training to help them in their jobs and prepare them for the future.
This comes after Technology Secretary Peter Kyle met with the likes of Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, and Salesforce, as a new government-industry partnership unveiled by the Prime Minister during London Tech Week formally kicked off its work.
The talks focused on how industry and government can work together to deliver on this joint ambition, including identifying future skills needs and making training more accessible. During the meeting, the group worked towards agreeing on terms of reference and a schedule of regular meetings, helping to track its progress.
It is expected that some 7.5 million UK workers will be trained in essential AI skills.
“Artificial Intelligence is the new economic frontier, and we want to get Brits ready for jobs of the future so we can spark the growth powering our Plan for Change,” said Kyle.
“If we want to realise AI’s incredible potential though, we need to make sure people of all ages and from all parts of the UK have the skills they need for jobs both in and with the technology – especially given we expect around 10 million workers to be using AI in their day-to-day role by 2035.
“Within days of announcing that we’re partnering with some of the world’s biggest tech leaders to help us do exactly that, we’re getting them around the table – representing a vote of confidence not only in Britain’s workers, but in the potential we offer as a global AI powerhouse.”
Companies that have signed up to this partnership will all bring a different area of expertise to its work.
Microsoft have already committed to upskilling one million workers in AI by the end of the year, while firms including SAS and Sage will provide high-quality AI training resources for workers, boosting their confidence in using and adopting the technology.
IBM are also set to tap into the power of its IBM SkillsBuild training programmes to roll out targeted training modules for workers, arming them with the tools they need to confidently adopt and use AI.
The full list of tech companies includes:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Barclays
- BT
- IBM
- Intuit
- Microsoft
- Sage
- SAS
- Salesforce
“Democratising access to digital skills training will be key to helping the UK unlock the full potential of AI, boost productivity, and support the transformation of the UK’s digital economy,” said Alison Kay (Vice President and Managing Director for UK and Ireland at AWS).
“That’s why at Amazon, we’re proud to support the UK government to achieve its goal to train 7.5 million people in AI skills through initiatives like this, and through programmes such as AWS Educate, AWS Skill Builder, and the Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, which are free for learners.
“Working together, we’ll help ensure the benefits of AI are accessible to everyone, and build a pipeline of talent across all nations and regions that can seize the AI opportunity today and in the future.”
