Can the UK train 7.5 million workers in AI? Inside the government–tech partnership

Why is the UK partnering with global tech firms to train 7.5 million workers in AI skills?

In a landmark initiative announced during London Tech Week, the United Kingdom has launched a nationwide AI skills training programme targeting 7.5 million workers by 2030. The plan is being executed in collaboration with some of the world’s most influential technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Salesforce, BT Group, Sage, SAS, and others.

The training push was unveiled formally on June 14, 2025, and kicked off with a strategic meeting led by UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The meeting brought together senior executives from 12 firms for focused discussions on how to coordinate public and private sector efforts to close the AI skills gap.

This move is seen as central to the UK government’s broader “Plan for Change,” a long-term strategy to boost productivity, attract tech investment, and prepare the workforce for rapid digital transformation.

What long-term goals are tied to the UK’s AI workforce training strategy announced in June 2025?

According to the UK government, nearly 10 million jobs in the country will involve day-to-day use of AI tools by 2035. To prepare for this shift, the strategy aims to upskill one-fifth of the current workforce through structured AI literacy programmes.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated that Artificial Intelligence represents “the new economic frontier” and emphasized that the UK must ensure inclusive access to the skills required to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Within days of the initiative’s announcement, the government had mobilized key corporate partners to begin scoping out sector-specific requirements and coordinating rollout strategies.

The programme is not only designed to support high-tech roles but also aims to equip workers in sectors such as retail, logistics, healthcare, and small business services with the knowledge to use AI tools effectively in their daily responsibilities.

How are companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM contributing to AI skilling across the UK?

Each participating company is contributing distinct training resources, platforms, or funding aligned with its area of expertise. Microsoft has pledged to upskill one million UK workers in AI before the end of 2025, using its Microsoft Learn platform and partner network. IBM, meanwhile, is leveraging its SkillsBuild initiative to offer modular, self-paced AI training tailored for UK workers across multiple industries.

Amazon, through its AWS Educate and AWS Skill Builder programmes, has emphasized open access, particularly for underserved communities. These initiatives are expected to play a key role in ensuring that digital transformation benefits all regions and age groups—not just London-based professionals or technical experts.

Sage and SAS are contributing content aimed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while Salesforce has deepened its UK presence by awarding $2.35 million in grants to organisations advancing AI and digital literacy. Google, for its part, is building on its “AI Works” report by embedding its findings into curriculum design and delivery methods.

These collective efforts are being coordinated under a shared framework, with recurring review cycles built into the partnership. This structure is expected to ensure agility and continuous alignment with market dynamics.

What economic potential does the UK government see in training millions in AI over the next five years?

The UK has positioned AI as a core engine for national growth. Since the launch of its AI Opportunities Action Plan in January 2025, the country has attracted over £44 billion in AI-related investment, while creating more than 13,000 new jobs in just over 12 months.

Economic modeling cited during London Tech Week suggested that nationwide AI adoption and upskilling could unlock a £400 billion productivity boost for the UK over the next decade.

Executives from Barclays, BT Group, and Intuit have echoed this outlook, arguing that broader AI training will not only support job growth but also enhance competitiveness among smaller firms and regional employers. Leigh Thomas of Intuit noted that businesses that successfully adopt AI are “13 times more likely” to report revenue growth.

This economic framing aligns with institutional priorities. Industry observers point out that in the context of Brexit-related labour shifts and inflationary wage pressures, automation and productivity enhancements via AI could help the UK sustain high-wage employment without triggering runaway operational costs.

How are industry leaders reacting to the AI upskilling push and what institutional sentiment has emerged?

Sentiment from both corporate and institutional stakeholders appears broadly supportive, with several leaders emphasizing the unique opportunity this moment presents for inclusive economic transformation.

Alison Kay, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Amazon Web Services, called the initiative a “catalyst” for democratising digital opportunity. She stressed the importance of equitable access, especially outside major urban centres.

Barclays CIO Craig Bright noted that large-scale education partnerships reflect the bank’s broader commitment to “inclusive innovation,” while BT Group CEO Allison Kirkby emphasized that AI represents “the growth opportunity of the decade.”

Debbie Weinstein, President of Google EMEA, said the company’s participation in the initiative stemmed from a desire to implement learnings from their nationwide research and ensure that AI’s projected £400 billion contribution to GDP becomes a reality.

Salesforce UK CEO Zahra Bahrololoumi, who also heads the firm’s AI Centre launched in 2024, reinforced the firm’s investment focus on community-led AI literacy programmes. IBM’s Leon Butler highlighted the transformative role of AI across industries and the critical need to build foundational understanding among workers.

Across the board, institutional responses suggest that the AI skills strategy is not only timely but necessary, particularly as competition intensifies among global innovation hubs such as the U.S., Singapore, and the European Union.

What challenges must the UK address to ensure equitable access to AI education and workforce readiness?

While the ambition of training 7.5 million workers is commendable, execution will likely require tackling systemic barriers around digital literacy, rural access, generational divides, and funding sustainability.

Glyn Townsend of SAS raised the issue of cross-generational impact, noting that “five distinct generations” are active in the UK workforce and each will require unique engagement strategies. Programmes aimed at older workers and those without prior tech experience must be designed to build foundational confidence, not just technical competence.

There is also growing recognition of the importance of localised delivery. While centralised platforms such as SkillsBuild and AWS Educate offer broad reach, partnerships with regional education providers, community colleges, and vocational training centres will be critical to achieving depth.

Some industry voices have suggested that government may need to establish benchmarks for measuring programme effectiveness, including metrics tied to job placement, wage progression, and SME adoption rates.

What comes next for the AI workforce strategy and what is the future outlook for UK digital skills policy?

Looking ahead, the UK government has committed to maintaining momentum through quarterly check-ins with corporate partners and the establishment of a cross-sector advisory board. Future phases may expand the scope to include AI ethics, cybersecurity awareness, and sector-specific applications such as generative AI in creative industries or predictive analytics in logistics.

Policy observers expect that this AI workforce initiative will influence other major skilling programmes in the EU, Canada, and Australia—particularly as demand for interoperable, AI-literate workforces becomes a priority in global trade and services.

For the UK specifically, successful execution could solidify its status as a preferred destination for AI investment, especially at a time when capital allocators are looking for regions that offer both regulatory clarity and human capital readiness.

In a statement that captured the programme’s strategic importance, Peter Kyle noted that the government’s efforts signal a “vote of confidence not only in Britain’s workers but in the potential we offer as a global AI powerhouse.”