Local schools and college, businesses, NHS and others get government support to ‘unleash opportunities’ of AI
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced that Barnsley is to be the UK’s first government-backed ‘Tech Town’, with support in rolling out AI into improved public services, better support in local schools, quicker NHS care and new opportunities for jobs and skills.
Photo by Alex Wong / Unsplash
The aim is to make Barnsley an example for the rest of the country to follow in using technology to make life easier, fairer and more prosperous.
Over the next 18 months, the government will work with Barnsley’s business leaders, educators, NHS workers and others to establish a local talent pool that can access the jobs of the future, and make local services fit for coming technology.
The initiative will include free courses for residents in AI and digital training delivered with Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology. Barnsley College and local schools will also test AI and educational technology (‘edtech’) tools to gather better evidence of the impact of technology on pupil outcomes, inclusion and reducing teacher workload.
The Seam Digital Campus will also be expanded to provide local businesses with hands‑on support in using new technology, scaling up and creating jobs. The Seam is already home to 33 digital businesses; the plan is to create a new AI Campus based around a new National Centre for Digital Technologies.
Through partnership with Barnsley Hospital, AI tools will be tested to provide quicker check-ins, faster triage and smoother outpatient care, resulting in better services for care users while freeing NHS workers from administrative burdens to they can focus on care delivery.
What’s more, the initiative will focus on infrastructure, such as in boosting connectivity and improving cybersecurity.
The government will encourage leading tech companies to participate. Indeed, the UK CEOs of Microsoft and Cisco both joined Liz Kendall on a visit to Barnsley this week. Other companies, such as Adobe and Google, are backing the initiative, too. Local organisations such as Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and Barnsley CVS are also partners in the project.
Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, says: ‘I am delighted to have been invited by Barnsley, to work with them to achieve their ambition to become the UK’s leading tech town.
‘If we are going to get AI to work for Britain, we need Britons and British public services that can work with AI. That is why Barnsley’s ambitions are crucial, because if we can show that AI helps young people learn, supports local businesses to be more productive, and improves public services, then we can show what’s possible for the whole country. What we learn here will shape how we roll out AI across the UK – making sure every community sees the benefits.’
Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, adds: ‘One of the key missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy is for Barnsley to become the UK’s leading digital town. Welcoming the Secretary of State to Barnsley to announce that we are the UK’s first Tech Town underlines our ambition and commitment to innovation which will benefit our residents, businesses and partners. This is one of the most important investments in Barnsley in our history and will help secure our long-term economic future.
‘The Tech Town programme is where cutting-edge technology meets everyday usefulness. It will complement our existing plans at The Seam Digital Campus, including the National Centre for Digital Technologies, and the Health on the High Street programme, which is revolutionising how residents can access health and wellbeing services in Barnsley.
‘We’re looking forward to working with colleagues from DSIT, our residents and our partners to shape the programme to create safer, smarter public services and new opportunities for everyone to thrive in the emerging and fast-paced AI landscape, blazing a trail for the rest of the country to follow.’
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, says: ‘Thanks in no small part to work being led by Steve Houghton and Barnsley Council, we’re building a bigger, better economy in South Yorkshire, creating jobs and opportunities in the industries that will define the next generation and beyond.
‘That’s why the government have recognised Barnsley as the UK’s first Tech Town. Because we have already built a thriving digital ecosystem, from The Seam Digital Campus and the growing cluster of digital and creative businesses, to the cutting-edge training at Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology. Barnsley has all the foundations of a modern, thriving tech economy.
‘This is a place that is driving real change across our region. Being recognised as the first Tech Town in the UK both reflects and reinforces that momentum, strengthening South Yorkshire’s position as one of the most exciting tech communities in the country.’
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