The UK government is set to announce a major initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to bolster the nation's artificial intelligence capabilities. This initiative involves a significant partnership with leading tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, aimed at training 7.5 million workers in AI skills.

As part of this comprehensive strategy, Starmer will also unveil the "TechFirst" programme, backed by £187 million ($253 million) in funding. This programme is designed to develop tech abilities for one million secondary school students, integrating AI learning into classrooms and communities across the country.

According to extracts released by his Downing Street office, Prime Minister Starmer is expected to state, "We are putting the power of AI into the hands of the next generation -- so they can shape the future, not be shaped by it." He will add, "This training programme will unlock opportunity in every classroom -- and lays the foundations for a new era of growth."

The UK's AI sector is a significant and rapidly expanding part of its economy. Government figures indicate it is currently valued at £72 billion and is projected to exceed £800 billion by 2035. The sector is reportedly growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy and employs over 64,000 people.

Alongside the "TechFirst" programme, the government-industry partnership will focus on upskilling the existing workforce. The tech giants involved have committed to making training materials freely available to businesses over the next five years. This training will concentrate on teaching workers how to effectively use chatbots and large language models to enhance productivity.

Debbie Weinstein, Google EMEA President, lauded the plan, calling it a "crucial initiative" that is essential for developing AI skills. She emphasized its role in unlocking AI-powered growth and "cementing the UK's position as an AI leader."

Furthermore, the UK government is also slated to sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with semiconductor firm NVIDIA. These agreements are intended to support the development of a nationwide AI talent pipeline, further strengthening the UK's AI ecosystem.