I am delighted that Barnsley has been named the UK’s first Tech Town.
This means that our community will be at the forefront of cutting-edge AI technology, positioning Barnsley as the UK’s trailblazer for how AI can improve everyday life for everyone.
The Tech Town status means that Barnsley will be provided with bespoke Government support to secure AI adoption across the borough, bringing a host of benefits to the community, such as delivering for our town’s economy, and providing a number of exciting job opportunities.
This will include offering free AI and digital training to residents, supporting businesses to adopt AI, introducing innovative AI tools in partnership with Barnsley Hospital for quicker check-ins, triage and outpatient care, and building the infrastructure needed to ensure that everyone can use AI safely and confidently.
Barnsley has been selected to be a leading town in harnessing the power of AI, showing how this technology can support young people to learn, improve our public services, and help businesses to be more productive. This trailblazing scheme is expected to set expectations for the benefits that AI offers for the whole country.
Firms such as Microsoft, Cisco and Adobe have backed these plans, and have committed to supporting local people’s access to jobs in the future.
AI is not just for big global corporations to make use of. This Labour Government wants to ensure that everyone across the country can benefit from the new opportunities that this technology offers.
We are at a unique crossroads in terms of how AI is developed and used, and, if we seize the opportunities presented to us now, this could be groundbreaking in our approach to local economy, society, and indeed everyday life.
I am proud that this Government are taking the essential steps to ensure that we tackle the issues that are holding back regulations and the safe adoption of AI, as well as thinking about the huge benefits that this technology could bring- such as in teaching and in healthcare.
It was great to join the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, in Barnsley to celebrate this exciting opportunity.
Barnsley College and lots of local businesses across the area are already building on the opportunities afforded by AI. Under Barnsley’s Labour Council’s leadership, AI has been adopted faster here than in many other places, which is an incredible feat.
It was great to visit Barnsley College and the DMC to hear about the work that they are already doing to utilise this new technology.
Thank you to Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, whose important work has ensured that Barnsley has been able to secure its status as the UK’s first ever Tech Town.
Our community has continued to suffer from the loss of the mining industry since the pits were closed over 40 years ago.
I am delighted that this investment is a chance to bring good jobs and innovation back into our community.
This is an exciting time for Barnsley, and I am grateful that this Labour Government is giving the people of our town the opportunities they truly deserve.
