South Yorkshire town to receive Government support for AI in schools, colleges, businesses and NHS infrastructure
Barnsley Market, Cheapside(Image: Dave Himelfield)
Barnsley has been designated as the UK’s inaugural Tech Town, which means local schools, colleges, businesses and NHS infrastructures will benefit from Government support to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities.
This will encompass trialling AI tutoring tools in schools, providing free AI and digital training for residents and businesses, and testing AI tools that facilitate quicker hospital check-ins and expedite triage. The announcement comes a week after the Government revealed plans to offer free courses to every adult in the UK, aimed at teaching people how to effectively utilise AI tools in their workplaces.
This was followed by the naming of Lanarkshire in Scotland as the latest AI growth zone. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is set to visit the South Yorkshire town, accompanied by the UK chief executives of Microsoft and Cisco, who have committed to bolstering AI and digital skills in the region.
The Government stated that insights and feedback from the rollout in Barnsley will inform the development of AI opportunities across the UK.
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Ms Kendall expressed: “I am delighted to have been invited by Barnsley, to work with them to achieve their ambition to become the UK’s leading tech town.
“If we are going to get AI to work for Britain, we need Britons and British public services that can work with AI.
“That is why Barnsley’s ambitions are crucial, because if we can show that AI helps young people learn, supports local businesses to be more productive, and improves public services, then we can show what’s possible for the whole country.
“What we learn here will shape how we roll out AI across the UK – making sure every community sees the benefits.”
Labour leader of Barnsley Council, Sir Stephen Houghton, stated: “This is one of the most important investments in Barnsley in our history and will help secure our long-term economic future.”
South Yorkshire’s Labour Mayor Oliver Coppard commented: “Being recognised as the first Tech Town in the UK both reflects and reinforces that momentum, strengthening South Yorkshire’s position as one of the most exciting tech communities in the country.”
Barnsley residents will be invited to a series of “Tech Town Halls” where they will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the programme and contribute to decisions on how AI should be utilised within the community.
