All UK adults to get access to free AI training under new scheme
Every adult in the UK will soon have access to free AI training, with courses designed to equip individuals with the AI tools needed for the workplace.
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced that these short modules, which take less than 20 minutes to complete, aim to increase productivity and encourage higher-skilled employment by freeing workers from routine tasks.
The initiative, which has support from a panel of experts from business and unions, aims to position Britain as the fastest adopter of artificial intelligence in the G7.
Upon completion, participants will receive a “virtual AI fundamentals badge” symbolizing their new skills.
While AI proficiency becomes increasingly vital across nearly all industries, concerns remain about the potential for misuse. Recent events, including a bug produced by Microsoft Copilot that reportedly affected police reasoning for banning fans from a match against Aston Villa last November, underline these difficulties.
West Midlands Police’s use of Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot has also been suspended after a report to SAG mentioned details of a non-existent match between West Ham and the Israeli club and was found to be an “AI hallucination”.
Additionally, the Government criticized Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot for its ability to create non-consensual sexual deepfakes.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told MPs and colleagues: “Grok and X’s actions are absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. Protecting abusive users rather than abused women and children shows a complete distortion of priorities.”
“So let me be very clear, we will not oppose this, because no matter how unstable or complex the world is, this government will be guided by its values. We will side with the weak against the strong.”
In a direct message to Mr. Musk, the platform’s owner, he added: “If
Technology Minister Liz Kendall highlighted the government’s dual approach: “We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI. Change is inevitable, but the consequences of change are not. We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share the benefits of AI. This starts by giving people the skills and confidence they need to seize the opportunities AI brings, putting the power and control in their hands.”
