The UK government has reported that over a million artificial intelligence (AI) training courses have been completed since the launch of the AI Skills Boost programme in June 2025. This initiative aims to equip the UK workforce with the necessary skills to capitalize on the growing opportunities presented by AI technology.
As part of this effort, a range of industry-developed AI courses is now accessible on the government’s AI Skills Hub. According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), these courses can be completed in under 20 minutes and are available online to all UK adults. They focus on enabling users to effectively utilize simple AI tools in the workplace, covering tasks such as drafting text, creating content, and managing administrative duties. The goal is to help employees free up time for more complex tasks.
Phil Smith, chair of Skills England and co-chair of the Digital Skills Council, emphasized the rapid pace of AI development and its potential for boosting productivity and growth. “Skills England has worked rapidly with tech companies to ensure the courses chosen for the AI Skills Boost programme provide the quality and capability businesses need right now,” Smith said. The programme also offers digital badges to those who complete the courses, recognizing their newly acquired skills.
When it was first introduced in June 2025, the AI Skills Boost programme was backed by prominent tech firms including Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, and SAS. Since then, the initiative has expanded to include additional partners such as the British Chambers of Commerce, Cisco, Cognizant, the Confederation of British Industry, the Department for Education, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, the Local Government Association, Multiverse, the NHS, Pax8, and TechUK.
The government is actively promoting these courses to NHS staff and local government employees as part of a broader aim to reach 10 million workers by the end of the decade. DSIT estimates that this will involve upskilling nearly a third of the UK workforce, including at least two million employees from small and mid-sized organizations.
“We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI,” said Liz Kendall, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology. She highlighted the inevitability of change, stating, “The consequences of change are not. We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits. That starts with giving people the skills and confidence they need to seize the opportunities AI brings, putting the power and control into their hands.”
To further support the integration of AI skills into the workforce, the government has allocated £27 million in funding. This financial support aims to connect individuals to technology jobs within their local communities and establish new professional practice courses and graduate traineeships.
Stephen Flaherty, chief technology officer at Barclays, remarked on the advantages of providing AI training to the workforce. Having implemented AI access for 100,000 colleagues worldwide, he has witnessed the transformative potential of the technology when utilized thoughtfully and responsibly. “By supporting practical, accessible training at scale, this programme can help ensure innovation delivers real value for workers, businesses, and the wider economy,” Flaherty noted.
The AI Skills Boost programme reflects a significant step towards preparing the UK workforce for an increasingly AI-driven future. As companies and employees alike navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, initiatives like this may prove vital in harnessing the technology’s full potential while mitigating its associated risks.
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