Tech giants join government to kick off plans to boost British worker AI skills

A fifth of the UK workforce will be supported with the AI skills they need to thrive in their jobs, breaking down barriers to opportunity and unlocking economic growth.

That's the message Technology Secretary Peter Kyle delivered this week (Friday 13 June) as he brought together leading tech firms for a first round of focused talks. 

Peter Kyle met 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 terms of reference and a schedule of regular meetings helping to track its progress.  

Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

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.

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 who have signed up to this partnership will all bring a different area of expertise to its work. Microsoft have already committed to upskilling 1 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. 

In the 12 months since the government took office, the UK has attracted more than £44 billion in AI investment, with 13,250 jobs being created since the Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January. 

With a growing number of firms looking to Britain to support their AI ambitions, the collective focus of leading companies and Ministers will now work to equip people across the country with the skills they need to thrive in the age of AI.  

Industry reaction

Alison Kay, Vice President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at AWS, said:

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.

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.

Craig Bright, Group Chief Information Officer and Deputy Group Co-Chief Operating Officer, Barclays, said:

Partnering to deliver AI education at a national scale reflects our commitment to inclusive innovation -equipping communities with the skills and understanding needed to thrive in the future.

Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group, said:

Harnessing AI and the digital infrastructure underpinning it are the growth opportunity of the decade. BT is investing record levels in the networks that enable the AI economy, and we know how important it is that everyone benefits. That's why we're so proud to support government's AI upskilling partnership.

As we equip our people to work with AI-driven tools, we look forward to partnering with government and other businesses to help the wider workforce too.

Google EMEA President, Debbie Weinstein, said: 

Our AI Works report uncovered the most effective ways to accelerate nationwide AI adoption and upskilling.

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work alongside the government and wider industry to apply these learnings, enable more people to reap AI's benefits, and unlock a £400 billion economic boost that will benefit the country for generations to come.

Leon Butler, Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland, said:

AI is helping to transform every industry - opening opportunities to innovate and unlock new forms of value. Creating a workforce that understands digital technologies will be crucial to boost AI adoption and so realise its huge benefits for business and society.

IBM is proud to support the government's efforts to train more of the UK workforce in AI.

Leigh Thomas, Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), at Intuit:

AI is a growth enabler for the UK economy, levelling the playing field for smaller businesses, by giving them the opportunity to access the sort of technology solutions that larger businesses already enjoy.

Businesses embracing AI are 13 times more likely to report increased revenue. This initiative to upskill 7.5 million workers on AI by 2030 will help to improve prosperity for all, and we look forward to accelerating knowledge, understanding and adoption by those that need it most.

Steve Hare, CEO, Sage, said: 

This initiative is exactly what the UK needs - skills-focused and future-looking. At Sage, we see every day how small businesses want to embrace AI but are held back by a lack of confidence and know-how.

By working together across government, industry, and education, we can give people the tools they need to unlock AI's full potential and drive real productivity across the economy.

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, CEO of Salesforce UK and Ireland said: 

Ensuring the UK workforce has the skills to work effectively with AI is crucial for driving economic growth. At Salesforce, we are committed to equipping our teams and communities with essential AI skills.

We welcome the government's goal to train 7.5 million UK workers in AI by 2030. Having opened our first AI centre in 2024, this week we strengthened our vote of confidence in the UK by awarding $2.35 million to organisations dedicated to digital and AI literacy.

Together with government, these investments will enhance productivity, boost prosperity, and ensure that humans and AI thrive together in the new era of work.

Glyn Townsend, Education and Academic relationships lead for SAS EMEA, said:

Artificial intelligence is reshaping work faster than any previous technology, and doing so across an unprecedented 5 distinct generations active in the UK labour market.

The UK already ranks third in the global AI league - we must therefore equip every worker, from apprentices to octogenarians, with the ability to seize the opportunities this revolution creates and leverage new innovative technologies from our world-leading universities and entrepreneurs.

By backing this programme, we will ensure equitable access to the skills that drive both meaningful careers and sustainable economic growth.

Notes to editors

The full list of companies who are part of the government-industry partnership is: 

• Accenture 
• Amazon 
• Barclays 
• BT 
• Google 
• IBM 
• Intuit 
• Microsoft 
• Sage 
• SAS 
• Salesforce