Free artificial intelligence training is now available to everyone in the UK as the government ramps up its efforts to prepare the workforce for rapid technological change.
But ministers have acknowledged that the program will only be successful if businesses and workers choose to adopt it.
From today, adults will be able to access short, practical courses through the government’s upgraded program A.I. Skills Hub is designed to help people use AI tools in the workplace.
The training covers everyday tasks like drafting text, creating content, and automating administrative tasks, with some courses taking less than 20 minutes to complete.
The program is a joint effort between the government and major technology companies including Google, Microsoft and IBM, and has already delivered more than one million courses since last summer.
For some small business owners, this training is already making a tangible difference.
Tracy Kasongo, founder of 20 MGMT, a British company involved in management consulting, video production and recording, said the course quickly gave her confidence in using AI.
“Being able to do a program like this really helped me learn and build skills in AI really quickly and then apply it to my business,” she said.
“The system has helped us create more efficient workflows and processes.”
Zunera Diwan, founder of financial decision consulting firm Money Circuit, said learning how to use AI properly has changed the way she runs her business.
“Before, I was skeptical and only used it as a search engine,” she says.
“We now use AI for billing, contracts, and insurance policy creation. AI saves us four to five hours a week, which we can use to grow our business and manage our health.”
Despite these examples, adoption remains a challenge.
Research published at the same time found that just 21% of UK workers are confident in using AI in the workplace, with only one in six companies currently using the technology.
Ministers claim that upskilling and recruitment can unlock economic growth of up to £140bn a year, while freeing workers from day-to-day jobs and creating more highly skilled roles.
“I want to use AI for the UK.”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government’s aim was to ensure people benefited from AI, rather than being left behind.
“We want to make AI work for Britain, and that means British people who can work with AI,” she said. “We are announcing a big, bold goal to advance the AI skills of 10 million employees by 2030.
“We work closely with businesses, the NHS and local authorities to ensure people from all walks of life have the skills they need, because it’s better for them, their families and the future of the country.”
Kendall has been participating in Tech Briefs since last year. Photo: P.A.
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Those who complete the course will receive a government-backed AI Foundation badge. This is intended to give employers confidence that their employees have basic recognized AI skills.
Ministers say the technology should support workers rather than replace them, but concerns remain about the pace of change and the risk of job losses.
The question now is whether companies will invest the time and resources to encourage employee training, and whether employees will take advantage of the opportunity.
