Barnsley named the UK's first Tech Town.

Barnsley has been designated the UK government's first Tech Town, with an 18-month plan to introduce AI across public services, education and local businesses.

Barnsley has been designated the UK's first government-backed Tech Town, announced as a focused programme to bring artificial intelligence into everyday local services. The plan sets out collaboration between national government and local partners over the next 18 months. Projects include training, trials in health and education, and support for businesses. Major technology firms and existing local digital initiatives are reported as contributors to the programme. Key details: - The designation is described as a government-backed initiative to use AI across public services, education and local business. - The programme will run with collaboration between national officials, local leaders, educators, NHS staff and businesses over an 18-month period. - Planned measures reported include free AI and digital training for residents and expanded support for small businesses to adopt new technologies. - Trials announced include use of AI tools at Barnsley Hospital, edtech testing in schools and colleges, and broader trials such as robot delivery and AI-powered social care tools. - The initiative builds on local projects such as the Seam Digital Campus and plans for a National Centre for Digital Technologies, with support pledged by firms including Microsoft, Cisco and Adobe. Summary: The initiative is described as an effort to create a national blueprint for using AI to improve services, learning and local economic opportunities. Over the next 18 months the programme will develop and test AI-driven solutions with community input through Tech Town Hall meetings. The organisers report that trials and training are the near-term focus. Undetermined at this time.