A former coal-mining town in South Yorkshire is set to become the blueprint for how artificial intelligence can reshape British communities. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has announced government support for Barnsley’s transformation into the UK’s first Tech Town, marking a significant step in the national strategy to integrate AI across public services and local economies.
The initiative brings together local authorities, healthcare providers, educational institutions and major technology companies to test how AI can improve service delivery whilst building digital skills among residents. Microsoft, Cisco and Adobe have pledged support packages designed to help people of all ages develop capabilities for technology-sector employment.
The programme arrives amid broader government efforts to prepare the UK workforce for an AI-driven economy, including free training aimed at upskilling 10 million workers. Barnsley’s selection reflects existing digital infrastructure and ambitions outlined in the town’s economic growth strategy, which identified becoming a leading digital hub as a core objective.
Developing local digital capabilities
Residents will gain access to free AI and digital training through partnerships with Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology. The courses aim to support career advancement, professional retraining and general technology literacy across the community.
The Seam Digital Campus, currently housing 33 digital businesses, will expand to provide practical support for small and growing companies adopting new technologies. Plans include establishing a National Centre for Digital Technologies at the site, creating a hub where firms can access expertise, scale operations and generate employment opportunities.
Healthcare innovation and service improvement
Barnsley Hospital will pilot AI tools designed to streamline patient check-ins, accelerate triage processes and enhance outpatient care. The healthcare applications focus on improving service efficiency whilst allowing NHS staff to concentrate on clinical duties rather than administrative tasks.
“If we are going to get AI to work for Britain, we need Britons and British public services that can work with AI. That is why Barnsley’s ambitions are crucial, because if we can show that AI helps young people learn, supports local businesses to be more productive, and improves public services, then we can show what’s possible for the whole country.”
Liz Kendall, Science and Technology Secretary
The hospital trials form part of a broader exploration into how AI can address pressure points within healthcare delivery. Technology Secretary Kendall emphasised that demonstrating tangible improvements in public services would be crucial for wider acceptance and adoption across the country.
Educational tech and teaching support
Local schools and Barnsley College will test AI and educational technology tools to gather evidence on their impact on pupil outcomes, inclusion and teacher workload. The initiative follows government plans announced last month to develop safe AI-powered tutoring tools for up to 450,000 disadvantaged children, with Barnsley schools under consideration for the summer trials.
“Being named the UK’s first Government‑backed Tech Town is a significant moment for Barnsley, and Barnsley College is proud to be at the heart of this ambition. This work reflects the long-standing commitment, vision, expertise and dedication of the College and our partners, who continue to push boundaries and provide a sector-leading digital curriculum to ensure our community can build the skills needed for an AI‑enabled future.”
David Akeroyd, CEO and Principal, Barnsley College
The college operates within the £15 million South Yorkshire Institute of Technology campus, which provides learning environments designed to replicate industry conditions using current equipment.
Infrastructure planning and digital security
The programme includes assessment of how public buildings, connectivity and Wi-Fi networks can be optimised to support digital services. Cybersecurity measures will be strengthened to build public confidence in using technology-enabled services, addressing concerns about data protection and system reliability.
“AI is reshaping businesses, industries and the economy at a rapid pace, but it will only reach its full potential if skills and training programmes are accessible and delivered in partnership with industry to meet the real-world needs of businesses today. By partnering with the government on the Tech Town initiative, we will bring the best of Adobe’s AI-powered tools, skilling and education programmes to the community, accelerating innovation and creativity, transforming careers and creating a talent hub in Barnsley that supports the UK’s ambition of becoming a leading AI economy.”
Nathan Hancock, Vice President and MD, Adobe UK, Ireland and Middle East
Government will leverage its convening power to involve leading technology companies in Barnsley’s development. Microsoft and Cisco UK chief executives joined Kendall during a visit to observe the town’s digital ambitions. The three pledged firms will deliver initiatives to boost AI and digital talent across all age groups.
Community engagement and local leadership
Barnsley Council Leader Sir Stephen Houghton described the Tech Town programme as one of the most important investments in the area’s history, crucial for securing long-term economic prospects. The initiative aligns with the council’s Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy and complements existing projects including the Health on the High Street programme, which has changed how residents access health and wellbeing services.
Residents will participate in a series of “Tech Town Halls” over coming months, giving the community direct input into how AI is deployed across services and an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences with the technology. This participatory approach aims to ensure local people shape the implementation rather than having solutions imposed from external sources.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard credited work led by the council for building a thriving digital ecosystem that attracted government recognition. The existing foundation of digital and creative businesses, combined with training facilities at the college and institute, created conditions for a modern technology economy to flourish.
National implications and economic strategy
Simon Johnson, UK Government AI Ambassador and 2024 Nobel Prize Winner for Economics, described Barnsley’s role as critical to the country’s AI aspirations. Placing technology in the hands of ordinary people working to improve their town could guide development of an AI-powered future that prioritises families and strengthens communities.
“AI is changing everything, and the opportunities are massive. We have to make sure that everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background, gets to feel the benefits. But that will only happen with ordinary people in the driving seat. That’s why what’s happening in Barnsley is going to be critical, to the whole country’s AI aspirations. By putting this technology into the hands of local people, working to improve their town, Barnsley can guide us to an AI-powered future that puts people and their families first, and that builds stronger communities.”
Simon Johnson, UK Government AI Ambassador and 2024 Nobel Prize Winner for Economics
The town has already demonstrated willingness to embrace new technologies, with delivery company EVRi recently trialling robot delivery dogs and the council among the first in Britain to deploy Copilot at scale, using it to support social care teams with administrative tasks. The Seam Digital Campus expansion into an AI campus will help local firms adopt AI, connect with universities and investors, and develop a pipeline of skilled technology talent.
The initiative follows recent government action to unleash AI’s potential, including free training for workers, the designation of Lanarkshire as an AI Growth Zone, and £36 million invested in upgrading the AI Research Resource supercomputer in Cambridge. Barnsley’s 18-month programme will test whether AI can demonstrably help young people learn, support business productivity and improve public services, establishing a model that other communities across the UK could replicate.