Barnsley has been named the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, marking a major step in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to transform local services, education, healthcare, and business. The initiative aims to provide bespoke government support to local schools, colleges, businesses, and the NHS, positioning Barnsley as a national blueprint for using AI to improve everyday life. Residents could see more efficient public services, enhanced support in schools, faster NHS care, and new opportunities for jobs and skills development as part of this transformation.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced plans for the government to actively support Barnsley’s AI rollout, working closely with local leaders over the next 18 months to build a skilled workforce and ensure public services are adapted for the AI era. The initiative will focus on expanding digital skills, upskilling residents, and ensuring communities historically left behind can access the benefits of emerging technologies. Barnsley’s ambitions are also intended to guide the UK in integrating AI effectively nationwide.
Key aspects of the Tech Town programme include free AI and digital training for residents, in partnership with Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology, to improve careers and reskilling opportunities. Businesses will receive hands-on support through the expansion of the Seam Digital Campus, which will host the National Centre for Digital Technologies. Healthcare innovation is also central, with AI tools being tested at Barnsley Hospital to improve triage, outpatient care, and overall patient experience. Schools and colleges will trial AI-driven teaching tools to enhance learning outcomes, reduce teacher workload, and promote inclusion.
The government is engaging leading tech companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Adobe to support Barnsley’s AI and digital talent development, alongside local partners including Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and Barnsley CVS. These collaborations aim to ensure residents have access to future-ready skills and local businesses can scale effectively using AI. Barnsley’s existing digital ecosystem, including The Seam Digital Campus and the Health on the High Street programme, provides a strong foundation for this transformation.
The initiative aligns with broader UK government actions to expand AI adoption, including free training to upskill 10 million workers, AI Growth Zones, and investments such as the £36 million upgrade to the AI Research Resource supercomputer in Cambridge. Local leaders, including Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, emphasized that Tech Town status strengthens the town’s economic future and sets a model for inclusive digital growth across the UK.
Barnsley residents will also be actively involved through “Tech Town Halls,” providing opportunities to shape how AI is implemented locally. The programme has already seen pilot initiatives, such as AI-powered tutoring for disadvantaged children and the use of AI tools in social care and delivery services, demonstrating how technology can directly improve quality of life. With infrastructure expansion, cybersecurity improvements, and partnerships with education and industry, Barnsley is set to become a leading hub for AI-driven innovation and community-centered digital transformation in the UK.
