Lloyds Banking Group will provide all 67,000 employees with AI training as part of a major digital transformation drive.
The banking giant said it aims to incorporate AI into daily operations and expects all staff to complete training by the end of the year.
The initiative is centered around the newly launched AI Academy, which will begin rolling out content starting in January.
Mr Lloyds said the program will include interactive learning modules, short courses, podcasts, articles and peer-to-peer learning opportunities delivered through the group’s internal learning platform.
Employees will initially be required to complete a mandatory module on working with AI responsibly, focusing on the safe and ethical use of AI technology in line with the bank’s internal standards.
The aim is to help staff use AI tools in their daily work, saving time, better serving customers and potentially increasing revenue, Lloyds said.
The bank is investing millions of pounds in AI-related initiatives and aims to have all its employees ‘AI-savvy’ by the end of 2026.
Ron Van Kemenard, the group’s chief operating officer, said expanding the use of AI depends on turning ideas into practical applications.
“By investing in the skills of our people, we can do this responsibly and at pace,” he added.
Sharon Doherty, chief human resources officer at Lloyds, said the academy would provide staff with practical tools to use AI with confidence.
“Upskilling our colleagues is core to how we transform,” she said. “By investing in our people, we are strengthening the most important skills in the workplace that are already supported by AI.”
The announcement comes at a time of significant change for the banking group, which includes Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland. The company is reducing its footprint on Main Street and restructuring some of its operations. Lloyds last year confirmed plans to close a further 136 branches, which are due to end by the end of March 2026.
In September, the bank unveiled new performance policies that put about 3,000 low-performing employees at risk of termination as part of an effort to build what it calls a “high-performance culture.”
The latest move builds on previous AI-focused training at Lloyds. Last year, more than 200 senior leaders participated in an intensive 80-hour program designed to help executives identify AI opportunities and lead implementation across the business.
Lloyds is not alone in ramping up its use of AI.
Spain’s Banco Santander has announced plans to introduce mandatory AI training for all staff this year after the technology saved the company more than €200 million in 2024.
Industry analysts say European banks are under increasing pressure to invest in AI skills to keep pace with their U.S. competitors.
Last year, an analysis by research firm Forrester found that U.S. companies are more likely than European companies to provide regular and effective AI training. According to the report, 52% of U.S. employees said they had received formal AI training, compared to 39% in Europe.
The survey warned that many organizations are overestimating the readiness of their staff to handle technology.
Forrester recommended a combination of classroom learning, social collaboration, and hands-on experience, arguing that hands-on, field use is key to building lasting AI skills.
