Free artificial intelligence training is being made available to everyone in the UK as the government steps up efforts to prepare the workforce for rapid technological change.
However, ministers acknowledge the programme will only succeed if businesses and workers choose to adopt it.
From today, adults can access short, practical courses through the government’s upgraded AI Skills Hub, designed to help people use AI tools in the workplace.
The training covers everyday tasks such as drafting text, creating content, and automating administrative work – with some courses taking less than 20 minutes to complete.
The programme is a joint effort between government and major tech firms, including Google, Microsoft and IBM, and has already delivered more than one million courses since last summer.
For some small business owners, the training has already had a tangible difference.
Tracey Kasongo, founder of 20 MGMT, a UK company involved in management consultancy, video production, and sound recording, said the courses helped her quickly build confidence in using AI.
“Being able to do a programme like that really fast-tracked me to learning and building skills in AI, and then applying it to the business,” she said.
“It helped us use the systems to create more efficient workflows and processes.”
Zunera Diwan, business founder of Money Circuit, a financial decision-making consultancy, said learning how to use AI properly transformed how she ran her business.
“Before, I was sceptical and only really used it like a search engine,” she said.
“Now I use AI for invoicing, contracts and creating policies. It’s saved me four or five hours a week, which I can put back into growing the business or looking after my wellbeing.”
Despite those examples, uptake remains a challenge.
Research published alongside the announcement shows only 21% of UK workers feel confident using AI at work, while just one in six businesses currently use the technology.
Ministers argue that improving skills and adoption could unlock up to £140bn a year in economic growth, while freeing workers from routine tasks and creating more high-skilled roles.
‘We want to make AI work for Britain’
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government’s aim was to ensure people benefit from AI rather than being left behind by it.
“We want to make AI work for Britain, and that means Britons who can work with AI,” she said. “We’re announcing a big, bold goal of upskilling 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030.
“We’re working closely with companies, the NHS and local government to make sure people from all walks of life have the skills they need, because that’s better for them, their families and the future of the country.”
Kendall has been in the tech brief since last year. Pic: PA
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Those who complete the courses will receive a government-backed AI foundations badge, intended to give employers confidence that staff have basic, recognised AI skills.
Ministers insist the technology should support workers rather than replace them, but concerns remain about the pace of change and the risks of job displacement.
The challenge now is whether businesses will invest the time and resources to encourage staff to train, and whether workers will take up the opportunity.
