The government's commitment to free AI training for 10 million by 2030

The government’s commitment to provide free AI training to 10 million workers by 2030 is a bold and welcome signal of intent. It recognises what employers, educators and young people already know: artificial intelligence is no longer a specialist skill, but a foundational capability for the modern economy.

At AI in Education, we strongly support this ambition. But we would also argue that its success depends on what happens long before people enter the workforce. AI capability does not suddenly begin at age 18 or on the first day of employment. Learners are already encountering AI throughout their schooling - in homework, revision tools, creative work and online search. The question is not whether young people will use AI, but whether they will do so critically, safely and ethically.

This is where schools become central to the government’s workforce strategy. If the UK wants 10 million AI-confident workers by 2030, it must ensure that schools are equipped to build strong foundations in AI literacy, digital ethics and responsible use. Without this, adult retraining risks becoming a remedial exercise rather than a progression of learning that has been developing over time.

However, many schools tell us they feel uncertain. They want to prepare pupils for an AI-enabled future, but face challenges around staff confidence, safeguarding, policy clarity and curriculum alignment. This uncertainty is entirely understandable - the pace of AI development is extraordinary, and guidance has often lagged behind practice.

The AiEd Certified Framework was created to address exactly this gap. It supports schools and colleges to take a whole-institution approach to AI - spanning leadership, staff, students, policies, pedagogy and community engagement. Rather than focusing on tools alone, it helps schools embed AI in a way that is ethical, inclusive and sustainable.

The government’s expanded training programme presents a powerful opportunity to align education and workforce policy more closely. Adult AI skills initiatives will be far more effective if they build on a generation of learners who already understand AI’s potential, limitations and risks - and who see it as a tool to enhance human capability, not replace it.

In short, free AI training for millions of workers is essential. But it will only deliver lasting impact if schools are supported to lay the groundwork. Investing in confident, well-governed AI use in education today is one of the most cost-effective ways to secure the UK’s AI future tomorrow.

Read the full press release on gov.uk here: Free AI training for all, as government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030 - GOV.UK

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