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A new joint Government-industry package will see an initial 200 new AI Masters places at UK universities being created.

techUK welcomes the announcement today of a new joint government-industry package to drive up AI skills in the UK. In particular the creation of a nationwide programme of industry-funded AI Masters courses. Supported by techUK members including Deepmind, QuantumBlack, Cisco and BAE Systems, Infosys and Accenture this programme will see an initial 200 new AI Masters places at UK universities being created.

Along with the establishment of five AI research Fellowships at the Alan Turing Institute and sixteen dedicated UK Research and Innovation AI Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) for AI PhD students, the announcements today are seen by techUK as another important step forward to build the right capability and capacity UK industry need to not only become AI ready but realise the full transformative potential of this key technology in the future.

Commenting on the announcement techUK President Jacqueline de Rojas said:

“techUK is delighted with today’s announcement. The UK is already a world leader in AI innovation in key sectors, such as health and finance. But we must keep pace with other nations if we are to remain at the forefront in the development and application of these technologies. Producing the next generation of AI talent is an imperative.

"Developing home-grown talent and supporting the British economy is a priority for this country and techUK is proud to see our members demonstrating industry’s commitment to building the next generation of AI talent. It is vital to securing the UK’s AI future and this is a brilliant start.”