All UK adults to receive free AI training under new scheme

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will offer short free AI modules for all UK adults, each under 20 minutes, and participants will earn a virtual AI foundations badge on completion.

The government has announced a new scheme to make short, free artificial intelligence training available to every adult in the UK. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the modules take less than 20 minutes each and are designed to help people use AI tools in the workplace. Officials describe the training as a way to boost productivity and support shifts toward higher-skilled employment by reducing routine tasks. A panel including business and trade union representatives has backed the initiative and ministers say it forms part of an effort to accelerate AI adoption in Britain. Key details: - The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will offer free short AI training modules to all adults in the UK, with each module lasting under 20 minutes. - The modules are presented as tools to enhance productivity and support moves toward higher-skilled work, and the programme has backing from a panel including business and trade unions. - Participants who complete the training will receive a virtual AI foundations badge. - Ministers say the scheme is intended to help position the UK as the fastest AI-adopting nation in the G7. - Recent incidents have highlighted risks around AI use: a Microsoft Copilot error was reported to have influenced police actions, and West Midlands Police suspended use of Copilot after what was described as an AI "hallucination" about a non-existent match. - The government has criticised Grok for producing non-consensual sexual deepfake images and has said it will intervene if platforms cannot control harmful content. Summary: The scheme is intended to widen basic AI skills nationally while ministers work to manage risks associated with AI technologies. Undetermined at this time.