Tens of thousands of primary school children across the North East are to gain early experience in artificial intelligence and digital technology thanks to a new £750,000 investment from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.
Announced at the second meeting of the North East AI Growth Zone Taskforce on Tuesday 12 May, the funding will be channelled through the government's TechFirst programme to ensure that 30,000 primary school children benefit from early AI and digital skills education.
The investment forms part of a broader £1.25 million package that combines the Mayor's contribution with £1.5 million of government funding already committed to the North East through TechFirst, as part of a wider national ambition to help one million young people across the UK benefit directly from the growth of AI.
Discovery days and business engagement
The Mayor's funding will support interactive 'discovery days' and facilitate engagement between local businesses and schools, helping pupils understand how AI is already shaping industries and workplaces. Local businesses will work with schools to outline career paths and explain the wider benefits of AI, ensuring that children who will grow up with the technology as it develops are given a solid grounding to apply it in their lives.
The programme is intended to ensure children across the region develop confidence with digital technology from an early age, building the foundations for future careers in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
Regional target of 80,000 students by 2029
For the first time, the Mayor and government have agreed a regional target, with 80,000 local students in the North East to benefit from AI-related training opportunities by 2029.
The package also includes commitments to support 1,000 local teachers to confidently teach AI and digital subjects in classrooms, alongside 150 local work placements to give young people real experience and reasons to stay and work in the North East.
'The North East is the one to watch'
Speaking at the Taskforce meeting, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "The North East is the one to watch when it comes to cutting-edge tech and AI as we work to make sure everyone benefits from our AI growth zone.
"We're already working closely with local employers, training providers and schools to make the North East the best place to live, work and thrive when it comes to tech. But we know we need to go further to make sure local people really benefit from more opportunities than ever before.
"That's why we're investing in training so our young people can make the most of the exciting opportunities around AI and working with some of the region's brightest companies to support more women and girls in the tech sector."
Technology Secretary praises 'strong partnerships'
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who also addressed the Taskforce meeting, praised the progress being made in the region since the Taskforce's launch in September.
"The North East is already showing how AI can deliver for working people, with billions of pounds invested and thousands of new jobs on the way, as businesses and Government work together to make the region a leader in Britain's AI future," Kendall said.
"We're investing in that progress for the long term. By giving young people the AI skills they need, supporting start-ups and acting to bring more women into tech we can keep talent and opportunity in the North East."
AI Growth Zone attracting billions in private investment
The AI Growth Zone has already attracted major private investment, including £10 billion committed by QTS and Blackstone to build a new data centre, with the potential to support up to 5,000 high-quality jobs across the region.
The Mayor has also published the North East AI Growth Zone Prospectus for consultation, which sets out how the region will build on the AI Growth Zone to support skills, adoption and innovation. This includes proposals for creating good jobs, backing local talent, helping businesses adopt new technologies with confidence, and making sure the advantages of AI are not locked up in a few places but spread across towns, cities and communities.
Supporting women in tech
As part of the broader skills package, major companies including SAGE and Accenture will come together to provide mentoring and leadership to help more women build long-term careers in tech. A hackathon planned for June will bring together women from businesses across the North East to build AI tools and agents, even for those with no previous coding experience.
A blueprint for AI-led growth
The North East AI Growth Zone was announced in September 2025 as one of the UK's first AI Growth Zones, designed to attract investment, create jobs and build skills in the region. The Taskforce, established to drive the initiative forward, brings together AI industry representatives, local universities and digital skills providers.
The second Taskforce meeting on 12 May marked a significant milestone, demonstrating how the AI Growth Zone is delivering real benefits for communities by turning AI investment into skills, jobs and opportunity on the ground.
With the new £750,000 investment in primary school education, commitments to train teachers and deliver work placements, and billions in private investment already flowing into the region, the North East is positioning itself at the forefront of Britain's AI revolution.