Leading technology companies have joined forces with the UK government to train 7.5 million workers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills by 2030. The initiative, involving Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft and Sage, was launched following discussions led by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The goal is to equip a fifth of the UK workforce with vital AI competencies, paving the way for economic growth and better-paid jobs.
At a recent meeting, government and industry stakeholders outlined plans to identify key future skills and improve access to AI training across sectors. Kyle described AI as a transformative force in the economy and said up to ten million UK workers could be using AI tools daily by 2035. The initiative reflects growing confidence in the UK’s workforce and its ability to lead in AI innovation.
The move comes as the UK reports more than £44 billion in AI investments over the past year and the creation of 13,250 jobs since the AI Opportunities Action Plan launched in January. The programme supports Labour’s ambition to make the UK a hub for AI and advanced technologies, with AI developments expected to contribute £400 billion to the economy.
Alison Kay, Vice President at AWS, said broadening access to digital skills would help unlock AI’s full potential and boost productivity. Craig Bright, from Barclays, welcomed the initiative’s emphasis on inclusive innovation, ensuring communities are not left behind by rapid technological change.
Speaking at London Tech Week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed a £1.5 billion investment in AI computing infrastructure. The funding aims to elevate the UK’s AI capabilities to global standards by expanding state-owned computing power. While underdeveloped digital infrastructure remains a challenge, the government is positioning the UK as a frontrunner in AI readiness.
Efforts to improve AI literacy among young people are also gathering pace. The Google-backed AI Campus in Camden is giving students hands-on experience with real-world AI applications. Government support, corporate involvement and educational programmes are seen as vital to preparing the workforce for an AI-driven future.
Debbie Weinstein from Google and Leon Butler from IBM both stressed the need for digital fluency to accelerate AI adoption. They said that equipping people with AI skills would enhance business performance and bring broader societal gains.
The initiative aims to create a more inclusive, future-ready workforce while addressing concerns over job losses from AI automation. With momentum building behind training partnerships and access to learning, the UK is well placed to thrive in the evolving global AI economy.
Created by Amplify: AI-augmented, human-curated content.
