One in five UK workers is set to have enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) training under a new partnership between the government and major technology firms, aimed at boosting skills, improving job opportunities, and driving economic growth.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle delivered the message as he convened a roundtable with technology companies including Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, Salesforce and others.
The meeting marked the formal start of the partnership, first announced by the Prime Minister during London Tech Week.
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The initiative seeks to identify future AI-related skills need, and improve access to training. During the meeting, the group began drafting terms of reference and agreed to establish a schedule of regular meetings to monitor progress.
Each participating company will contribute specific expertise. Microsoft has pledged to upskill one million UK workers in AI by the end of 2025. SAS and Sage will provide training resources aimed at increasing confidence and competence in AI adoption.
IBM plans to expand access to its SkillsBuild training programme, delivering targeted modules designed to help workers apply AI tools in practical settings.
Over the past year, the UK has attracted more than £44bn in AI investment, with more than 13,000 new jobs created since the launch of the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January.
Peter Kyle, science, innovation, and technology secretary 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.”
Adding, 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.”
Innovative applications of AI in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
