The UK government has announced a significant expansion of its free AI training initiative, aiming to equip 10 million workers with essential AI skills.
The program, delivered through the government’s AI Skills Hub in partnership with major technology providers including Google, IBM, and Amazon Web Services, offers courses ranging from 20-minute introductions to comprehensive nine-hour training modules. All courses are freely available to UK adults and cover key AI competencies, from mastering prompts for generative AI to understanding responsible AI use.
This latest expansion represents a substantial scale-up effort, with both the course catalog and partner network growing to meet rising demand.
Alongside the training expansion, the government has established a new AI and the Future of Work unit to address the evolving challenges that technology brings to employment and workplace practices.
Targeted Support for Key Sectors
The government has identified NHS workers, local government employees, and small businesses as the primary beneficiaries of the expanded program.
With AI set to impact major sectors of the economy, officials have described the initiative as “the biggest targeted training program since Harold Wilson started the Open University.”
Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized that the skills training and the new government panel demonstrate its commitment to managing AI’s dual effects.
“Change is inevitable, but the consequences of change are not,”
she stated. “We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits. 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.”
The announcement includes £27 million in funding for the TechLocal scheme, which will help create or fill up to 1,000 technology positions in local communities. The funding supports multiple entry routes into tech careers, including graduate traineeships and professional practice courses.
Students can also now apply for the Spärck AI Scholarship program at nine UK universities. The initiative will support up to 100 master’s students with industry partnerships, work placements, and mentorship opportunities.
Addressing the UK’s Digital Skills Gap in an AI-Driven Economy
The timing of this initiative reflects growing urgency around AI proficiency in the workplace.
Umang Paw, Chief Technology Officer at PwC, emphasized the need for urgency:
“AI isn’t coming; it’s here, and it’s rewriting the rules of work.”
Paw went on to note that while the technology is making some roles more accessible, others now demand skills that did not exist five years ago.
“Expanding access to training isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s how we ensure no one gets left behind,” Paw said.
Businesses increasingly view AI fluency not as a specialist skill but as a fundamental part of professional capability across all sectors. This is exemplified by Salesforce’s 2024 opening of its first AI center in London. The company invited more than 100 developers and administrators to a kickoff training event at its new 40,000-square-foot facility, using the launch to spotlight the UK’s pressing digital skills gap.
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva urged governments at the recent Davos Summit to prioritize retraining for workers displaced by AI, citing new analysis showing that the technology is already exerting downward pressure on wages and employment in certain sectors.
Research published this week by Morgan Stanley revealed that the UK is seeing a net loss of jobs due to AI, with an 8% decline over the past 12 months, a steeper drop than in the US, Japan, Germany, or Australia.
By proactively preparing its workforce for AI integration, the UK government aims to turn a potential vulnerability into a competitive advantage. Strengthening AI proficiency across the labor force could position the UK as a more attractive market for companies seeking workers with advanced AI capabilities, potentially offsetting some of the job displacement risks.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
This expanded training program represents the government’s practical response to the transformative impact of AI on the UK economy. By making training freely available and partnering with industry leaders, the government aims to ensure the workforce is ready for the technological advances ahead.
As the program rolls out, its success will be measured not only in course completions but also in tangible outcomes: workers transitioning into AI-enhanced roles, businesses finding the skilled talent they need, and communities benefiting from the economic opportunities the technology creates.
The newly established AI and the Future of Work unit will play a crucial role in tracking these outcomes and refining policy as technology continues to evolve. With 10 million workers as the target, the program’s ambition is clear. Whether it delivers on that promise will shape the UK’s economic trajectory in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
