The programme aims to train 7.5 million people in essential AI skills, equating to around a fifth of the UK workforce.

Companies including Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Salesforce and Sage are among those that have been called for talks on how industry and government can work together on the AI skills programme.

The talks focused on areas such as identifying future skills needs and making training more accessible, with the group working towards agreeing terms of reference and a schedule of regular meetings helping to track its progress.  

Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “We need to make sure people of all ages and from all parts of the UK have the skills they need for jobs both in and with the technology – especially given we expect around 10 million workers to be using AI in their day-to-day role by 2035. 

“Within days of announcing that we’re partnering with some of the world’s biggest tech leaders to help us do exactly that, we’re getting them around the table – representing a vote of confidence not only in Britain’s workers, but in the potential we offer as a global AI powerhouse.”