Barnsley Named UK’s First Tech Town for AI Innovation

Barnsley has officially become the United Kingdom's first "Tech Town" – a major step forward in showing how artificial intelligence can make everyday life better for everyone in the community.

According to Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Barnsley will serve as a national example of how technology can make life easier, fairer, and more prosperous for local people. The town plans to bring AI into public services including schools, colleges, businesses, and the NHS.

Microsoft, Cisco, and Adobe have all promised support. They will help give local residents the skills they need for future jobs. Free AI and digital training will be offered through Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology to both workers and anyone who wants to learn new skills or change careers.

Barnsley Hospital is already working on AI tools that can speed up check-ins, improve triage, and help patients who don’t need to stay overnight. In schools and colleges, AI and edtech tools are being tested to see if they can improve learning, create better school environments, and reduce workload for teachers.

Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said the town wants to be the best digital area in the UK. He called the announcement one of the most important things to happen for the local economy and said it will help protect jobs for many years to come.

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, welcomed the news. He said the area's digital growth – including the Seam Digital Campus, creative businesses, and new training programs – is getting stronger every day.

The project will include many "Tech Town Halls" where local people can talk about the plans and help decide how AI should be used in Barnsley. The government hopes Barnsley's experience will become a guide for other towns and cities across the UK.

This announcement follows the government's recent promise that everyone in the UK can get free training in AI tools to help them at work. Barnsley's plans fit perfectly with that goal.

Lanarkshire in Scotland has already seen very fast growth in AI use over recent years. Barnsley now wants to show how AI can benefit even more parts of everyday life.

The local council is working closely with major tech companies to help everyone in Barnsley build digital and AI skills. The aim is to create the UK's leading digital community while making life better for residents.

People will soon see AI helping in classrooms to make learning more interesting, in hospitals to improve patient care, and in businesses to create new opportunities. The next step will be community conversations at Tech Town Halls.

If Barnsley’s project succeeds, many other places in the UK may follow the same path. This could help more people learn AI and digital skills, improve services, and create a stronger future for everyone.