The UK government has launched a major new push to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the economy, announcing more than £200 million in support to help businesses put AI to work while equipping workers with the skills to use it.
At the first-ever AI Adoption Summit, held on Monday 8 June at the Science Museum in London during London Tech Week, the government brought together major technology companies, trade unions and industry leaders to drive the adoption of AI in ways that boost growth while creating new opportunities for workers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said AI innovation is one of her three "big choices to grow our economy". "Today we are going further and faster to drive AI adoption, give workers and businesses the tools and skills they need, and harness AI to deliver secure, resilient growth across the country," she said.
A first-of-its-kind partnership
The government is unveiling what it describes as a first-of-its-kind partnership on AI adoption, working with businesses, trade unions and workers to spread adoption across the economy, give workers the skills they need to thrive in the AI era, while ensuring workers can have a say over how AI is implemented in their workforce.
Many businesses and individuals want to use AI but do not yet have the tools, support or confidence to do so – holding back productivity and growth. The new package of support is designed to make it easier for businesses to test, adopt and scale AI.
£100 million expansion of Bridge AI scheme
Central to the package is a £100 million expansion of the government's Bridge AI scheme, which matches British companies with British AI, along with support on skills, AI assurance and practical help so businesses know how to use AI to secure the strongest growth potential.
A further £53 million has been ringfenced for new initiatives to boost AI adoption and innovation, including the expansion of the Tech Town programme, which Barnsley has pioneered.
Spärck AI Scholarships and industry placements
The package includes a £4 million expansion to the Spärck AI Scholarships programme, which will sponsor up to 50 industry placements for top university scholars to get vital, hands-on experience in key UK companies.
Those already signed up to provide placements include BT and Universal Music Group. More than 30 major companies, including Rolls-Royce, Accenture, EDF and LinkedIn, have also signed up to share data and insights on how they are using AI in the workplace, which will help shape future policy and share expertise with small businesses looking to adopt the technology.
Investment in AI Growth Zones
The government is investing £5 million in each of its AI Growth Zones to support local businesses to adopt AI and upskill the local workforce. Industry-led AI Adoption Plans, written by expert AI Champions, will help sectors like advanced manufacturing and financial services put AI into practice – testing what works and sharing lessons so others can follow.
New AI Advisory Growth Labs
New AI Advisory Growth Labs will be set up for businesses, regulators and experts to work together to trial AI in working environments – starting with legal services – and giving firms clear, practical information on how to responsibly adopt AI while meeting regulations.
Nobel Prize-winning economist to lead AI institute
Nobel Prize-winning economist Simon Johnson will chair a new institute tracking how AI is changing jobs and growth, with businesses sharing data and insights to help shape future policy.
AI Skills Boost: upskilling 10 million workers
The announcements build on the government's AI Skills Boost initiative, which aims to upskill 10 million UK workers in AI by 2030 through government-backed online courses – almost a third of the workforce and the biggest national training effort since Harold Wilson's Open University.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the summit that two million of these will be workers in small and medium-sized businesses, the backbone of the economy. She confirmed that, as of April, 1.7 million courses have already been delivered, and the government is signing up eight new industry partners in priority sectors like manufacturing and the creative industries.
"The reason we are all here today is to focus on how we as a country adopt AI. How we take it out of the lab and put it into practice and into people's hands," Kendall said in her speech to the summit.
"AI is the defining technology of our lifetime. The engine of economic power and hard power, with the potential to transform almost every aspect of our lives. This government is determined to win for Britain on AI."
Tech companies commit to training and resources
As part of the scheme, the government will partner with businesses, trade unions and industry leaders to boost skills and growth in the sector. This will include large companies such as Cisco and IBM facilitating AI training and resources for small and medium-sized enterprises to explore how the technology can work for them.
The government has also signed a joint statement with Google, Anthropic, Microsoft and OpenAI, in which the companies commit to close collaboration with the government and frontier AI labs to support the responsible development of AI.
Pro-Worker AI Adoption Prize
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has also launched the Pro-Worker AI Adoption Prize, which aims to recognise UK organisations that adopt AI to increase productivity, upskill workers and create new jobs. Nominations for the prize are now open, and the top 50 businesses will be shortlisted by an expert judging panel. UK business school professors will write detailed case studies on the top three businesses to show how AI can benefit companies and their workers.
AI bootcamps and Early Careers Jobs Alliance
Alongside the adoption package, the government has launched a series of AI bootcamps and the Early Careers Jobs Alliance to help young people get into further education and the job market, with a focus on disadvantaged schools.
The AI bootcamp scheme, unveiled by Kendall at London Tech Week, will be piloted across five local areas in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, providing free workplace and entry-level AI training and guaranteeing those who complete the bootcamp with a fully paid AI apprenticeship. The government plans to roll out the scheme nationwide across England in the 2027 to 2028 academic year, if the pilot is successful.
The Early Careers Jobs Alliance, backed by £20 million in funding, brings together government, employers, trade unions and young people to map out how entry-level work is changing and support businesses in redesigning job roles while maintaining entry-level pathways.
Through TechFirst, the government's nationwide tech skills programme, at least 400,000 students from some of the most disadvantaged schools will be supported to take up AI and tech skills.
A shared mission
Kendall told the summit that AI can transform lives for the better, but "only if everyone gets a stake in it".
"That is why we are bringing together businesses, trade unions and workers in a shared mission to make sure no one is left behind," she added. "By giving workers the skills they need, opening up opportunities for young people, and backing businesses of every size to adopt this technology, we can ensure AI delivers for everyone in every part of Britain."
With more than £200 million in government investment, partnerships with major technology companies and trade unions, and a clear ambition to make Britain the fastest AI-adopting country in the G7, the government is signalling that the era of AI adoption has arrived – and that workers and businesses across the country will be equipped to seize its opportunities.