Barnsley is already showing the potential of AI as Britain’s first Tech Town - Andrew Western

Six months ago, when we named Barnsley as the UK’s first Tech Town there were some naysayers. People who couldn’t see how, or even why, we’d want to plot Britain’s AI future, in the heart of South Yorkshire.

But what those people are forgetting is the single mum turning a business idea into reality after receiving AI training at Barnsley College. Or the grandfather who got seen quicker at Barnsley Hospital because staff are using AI to cut waiting times.

Just six months in, Barnsley is already showing what happens when you put AI to work on things that matter most to people. Whether that’s making our public services work better for residents, giving locals the AI skills they need to grow their business or land that next job, or working with Barnsley College so young people can get a top-class education that’s fit for the future, on their doorstep.

For me, this isn’t surprising. After all, we are talking about a town that was central to Britain’s fortunes during the last Industrial Revolution. We know from history that all our communities have it within them to innovate, excel and be truly groundbreaking – if only we give them the tools and means to do it.

Somewhere along the way we forgot that. We stopped believing quite so resolutely in every single part of the UK. Under this Government that changes. We will back all of our communities to strive for success. And we will put AI, the most exciting technology of our times, to work doing so.

That is a mission that’s already started in Barnsley but one I want to see extend to every part of our country. And we’re backing it from the very top, through an AI Taskforce that reports directly to the Prime Minister - because AI will have a huge impact whether we like it or not. The choice is whether more places like Barnsley are equipped to benefit from it.

Now we’re taking that work a step further with two new schemes designed to help local residents benefit from the changes AI is bringing. One will help jobseekers use AI tools to search for work, prepare for interviews and get ready for the workplace. The other will give people training and paid work placements linked to AI related careers, whether that means helping businesses improve customer services, working with data or finding smarter ways to get things done.

This matters because AI skills should not be something only coders or big tech firms can access. They should help people in places like Barnsley get a foot in the door, build confidence and take up better opportunities close to home. They should help local employers find people with the skills they need, as well as make sure towns like Barnsley are not watching the next wave of technology happen from the sidelines, but helping shape it.

We’ll learn what works for Barnsley, and we can take that right across the UK.

AI will not succeed because governments announce plans or because technology companies build more powerful tools. It will succeed when people can see how it helps them find a job, grow a business, get a quicker hospital appointment or learn a new skill.

That's what we're doing in Barnsley. Six months in, we're already seeing what's possible. The task now is to take those lessons and make sure every community can share in the benefits of the AI age.

Andrew Western is the Minister for Employment.