A shortcut to UK Government announcements about AI training, jobs, partnerships and investments
- Peter Gross
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
[This post includes AI generated content and may contain errors].
It's UK TechWeek and there has been a number of major announcements from Sir Keir Starmer and his government.
TL;DR The shortcut is to listen to an AI generated podcast summarising the announcements...
It took...
less than 10 minutes to create this Podcast from 4 announcements
a few extra minutes to get the briefing summaries and quotes below
and yet it took about an hour to publish it all onto this blog
The podcast was created (for free) using Google's NotebookLM. A limited version of the MP3 generation is also available in the Google Gemini Canvas.
Microsoft have the same or similar technology on the M365 Roadmap
Announcements
Launch of the "TechFirst" National Skills Programme
The Prime Minister announced a new £187 million government programme called "TechFirst" aimed at bringing digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities. This is a cornerstone of the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy.
"At the heart of the skills drive, and as part of the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, is a new £187 million government “TechFirst” programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities and train up people of all ages and backgrounds for the tech careers of the future." Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister.
AI Slashes Planning Delays
The government has developed an in-house AI tool called "Extract" to digitize old, handwritten planning documents, significantly speeding up planning decisions.
"We’ve developed what we call Extract. It’s being trialled in councils in Exeter, Westminster, Nuneaton and Bedworth. It takes old, handwritten planning documents and put them into digital form in seconds." Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister.
PM unveils AI breakthrough to slash planning delays and help build 1.5 million homes: 9 June 2025 - GOV.UK
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NVIDIA
A signed agreement between the UK government and NVIDIA focuses on developing a nationwide AI talent pipeline and accelerating university-led research in AI and advanced connectivity technologies. NVIDIA will also expand its AI lab in Bristol.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sets out the agreement signed by Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms for DSIT and Ronnie Vasishta, SVP, Telecom, NVIDIA on Monday 9 June 2025.
Memorandum of Understanding between UK and NVIDIA on AI and Advanced Connectivity Technologies - GOV.UK
Application to Become an AI Factory Antenna
The UK government is inviting public sector organizations to express interest in partnering with an established European AI Factory through the EuroHPC's Antennas programme.
UK public sector organisations are invited to apply to host an AI Factory Antenna. The successful applicant of this EOI will be endorsed by the UK government to apply to the EuroHPC’s call for AI Factory Antennas.
Apply to become an AI Factory Antenna: expression of interest - GOV.UK Investment in Compute Power
The Prime Minister announced an extra £1 billion of funding to significantly scale up the UK's compute power, aiming for a factor of 20 increase. This is seen as essential digital infrastructure for AI development and public service improvement.
"So I can also announce today that we’re committing an extra £1 billion of funding to scale up our compute power by a factor of 20." Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister.
