One Million Students to Receive AI Training in New Skills Drive

The UK government plans to train one million secondary students in AI skills as part of the £187 million TechFirst scheme. This comes as research forecasts that AI will impact 10 million jobs by 2035. Alongside this, a partnership aims to train 7.5 million workers by 2030, supported by major tech companies providing free resources. Key figures like Sir Keir Starmer are championing this initiative while addressing concerns over AI reliability.

In a bold move, the UK government is set to announce training for one million secondary school students in artificial intelligence (AI) skills, aimed at preparing them for the future job market. This comes in light of government projections indicating that by 2035, AI will influence the roles of around 10 million workers. The initiative is part of a £187 million investment dubbed the “TechFirst” scheme, which aims to ensure that students are equipped for AI-powered careers.

The TechFirst program will be organized into four segments, with the £24 million TechYouth being recognized as the flagship venture. This particular arm prioritizes making AI education accessible to students in every secondary school across the UK over a span of three years. This is not just about teaching students new skills, but fostering a generation that can thrive in an AI-driven economy.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has announced an expansive new partnership with industry aimed to upskill 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI capabilities by 2030. Major tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are on board, promising to make quality training materials available to workers at no cost over the next five years. This publicly funded initiative represents a significant effort to level the playing field for those from various educational backgrounds.

Starmer emphasized the importance of empowering the younger generation, stating, “We are putting the power of AI into the hands of the next generation – so they can shape the future, not be shaped by it.” He believes that this initiative will create economic opportunities in classrooms nationwide and set the groundwork for future growth.

On a lighter note, Starmer hosted a reception at Chequers, drawing in influential tech leaders, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind. These discussions are aimed at building a collaborative framework to bolster the nation’s workforce.

Addressing concerns about the reliability of AI, technology secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged that AI is not without flaws. He remarked, “AI does lie because it’s based on human characteristics,” while also noting efforts are in progress to improve its accuracy. He expressed a commitment to create legislation that ensures AI’s safe and responsible use, in conjunction with updates on copyright laws.

Kyle underscored the importance of understanding how AI functions as it integrates more into daily life, suggesting that this awareness will be crucial. The initiative certainly comes at a pivotal moment, with the potential to reshape educational landscapes and workforce dynamics alike.

In summary, the UK government is rolling out a comprehensive training initiative poised to equip one million secondary students with essential AI skills, reflecting a significant investment in the future workforce. TechFirst embodies a push for a tech-savvy generation, while supporting existing workers through partnerships with major tech firms. Amidst the excitement, there are acknowledgments of AI’s limitations, paired with efforts to legislate its usage safely. This ambitious plan marks a step towards modernizing the UK’s approach to technology in education and the workplace.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk