"We want AI to work for Britain": Government to upskill 10 million adults in AI by 2030
The UK government is expanding its AI Skills Boost program with a clear goal: train 10 million people in practical AI skills by 2030. Every adult in the UK will be able to access free online courses, many taking as little as 20 minutes.
This builds on the June 2025 pledge to train 7.5 million people and extends the partnership with major tech firms. Courses are curated with industry and map to Skills England's AI foundation skills for work benchmark.
Why this matters for government teams
Public services run on time, budget, and clarity. Basic AI skills can help staff draft briefings, prepare reports, summarize case notes, process admin, and create compliant content faster-without changing core policies or standards.
Local government and NHS employees will be among the first to benefit, according to the government. That means immediate opportunities for councils, trusts, and central departments to build capability where it counts.
What you'll learn
- Using common AI tools to draft text, create content, and complete administrative tasks
- Baseline prompts for everyday work (emails, meeting notes, minutes, briefs)
- How to use AI safely and appropriately in line with workplace standards
"This training will give both workers and employers confidence in their new skills, and set standards for what good AI upskilling looks like," the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said.
Who's involved
The initial group-Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, and SAS-will be joined by Multiverse, Pax8, TechUK, Cisco, Cognizant, and others. Sarah Walker, CEO for Cisco UK&I, said the company is "pleased to support the government's expansion of its AI upskilling mission" and called the program "core to raising living standards and generating economic growth opportunities for the nation."
As Liz Kendall, secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology, put it: "We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI… We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits."
How to get involved
- Watch for official sign-up links from your department or local authority L&D team.
- Block 30-60 minutes per week for short courses and practice. Treat this like mandatory CPD.
- Start with entry-level modules; apply each skill to a live task (a report, a case summary, a briefing).
- Agree a simple acceptable-use policy for your team (no sensitive data in public tools; always review outputs).
- Track outcomes: time saved, errors reduced, turnaround improvements.
For program updates, visit the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on GOV.UK: DSIT.
Set your team up for quick wins
- Create a shared prompt library for recurring tasks (minutes, FOI drafts, procurement summaries).
- Pair staff for "show-and-tell" sessions to spread workable prompts and checks.
- Build review steps: factual check, policy compliance, records management, and accessibility.
- Use non-sensitive examples for practice to avoid data risks.
Governance and safeguards
Keep policy, security, and data protection front and center. Use approved tools, avoid adding personal or sensitive information into public systems, and log decisions as usual for audit and FOI.
DSIT says the goal is to "support workers to adapt, protect communities from the mistakes of past industrial change, and deliver a fair, dignified future of work."
New: AI and the Future of Work Unit
Alongside the skills push, the government is launching an AI and the Future of Work Unit. A panel of experts from business and trade unions will assess AI's impact on the economy and jobs and help guide long-term policy.
The aim is to stay ahead of upcoming skills needs, support transitions, and focus investment where it delivers the most value for citizens.
Additional resources
- Explore role-based AI course lists to complement government training: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job
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