TECHNOLOGY Secretary Liz Kendall believes that ‘where Barnsley leads, others will follow’ after the town was named as the country’s first ‘Tech Town’ at a special event this week.
On Monday, Ms Kendall arrived in the town to set out plans to put the full force of the government behind the town’s rollout of AI - with £500,000 being invested to kick-off the scheme.
Tech Town status/ will/ position/ Barnsley/ as the UK’s trailblazer,/ acting as a national/ blueprint/ for how AI can/ improve/ every day life.
From AI tools/ that help GPs/ triage patients quicker, to new digital training for adults -/ bosses say the announcement/ marks the start of a transformation designed/ to make like/ easier,/ fairer/ and more/ prosperous/ in Barnsley./ /
Over the next 18 months, Government will work closely with local business leaders, educators, NHS workers and more to build local talent who can access the jobs of the future, and make local services fit for the ‘AI era’.
The government will use its convening power to get leading tech companies involved in this work in Barnsley, with Microsoft and Cisco’s UK CEOs joining Kendall on a visit to Barnsley, to see the town’s digital and AI ambitions first-hand.
Leading tech firms including Cisco, Microsoft and Adobe are backing the plans - with all three pledging a package of initiatives to boost Barnsley’s AI and digital talent, so that people of all ages can build the skills that will help them access the jobs of the future in growing tech industries.
In Ms Kendall’s third visit to the town, she told the Chronicle: “I can’t get enough of Barnsley - that’s the truth.
“Steve (Houghton), the minute I was appointed wrote to me and said that he wants to be the country’s leading centre for digital.
“Barnsley is going to be the first ever Tech Town and that means local businesses, the college, schools, the NHS, the council and the whole town will be supported.
“It’s a part of the country that was the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, and is now leading the technological revolution.
“I’m really proud of that.
“I think some people feel worried about AI and tech - they’re worried about what it means for them and their families.
“We want to show people that if we give you the skills and the support then this government will not leave anyone behind.”
Ms Kendall said that the scheme in Barnsley will be used as a ‘blueprint’ for the rest of the country.
“I think that Barnsley is going to be leading the country in creating those good new jobs and getting the best public services,” she added.
“Barnsley is determined to make sure people have the skills and get the jobs.
“I think it’s really exciting and Barnsley’s ahead of the curve on this.
“Where Barnsley leads, others will follow.”
The Seam Digital Campus is set to be expanded into an AI campus to help local firms make use of AI, to link them with universities and investors, and to help build a pipeline of local skilled tech talent.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton added: “One of the key missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy is for Barnsley to become the UK’s leading digital town.
“Welcoming the Secretary of State to Barnsley to announce that we are the UK’s first Tech Town underlines our ambition and commitment to innovation which will benefit our residents, businesses and partners.
"This is one of the most important investments in Barnsley in our history and will help secure our long-term economic future.
“The Tech Town programme is where cutting-edge technology meets everyday usefulness.
“It will complement our existing plans at The Seam Digital Campus, including the National Centre for Digital Technologies, and the Health on the High Street programme, which is revolutionising how residents can access health and wellbeing services in Barnsley.”
BOSSES have described the announcement as a ‘significant’ moment for the town - and it’s hoped it will benefit local people and not just businesses.
Naming Barnsley as the UK’s first Tech Town is about putting local residents in the driving seat, according to those behind the scheme.
Over the coming months, they will be invited to a series of ‘Tech Town Halls’ - giving local people a real say in how AI is used across the community and an opportunity to feedback their experience of using the technology.
It’s also hoped that the scheme, in partnership with Barnsley Hospital, will be used to test AI tools that offer quicker check-ins, faster triage and smoother outpatient care - providing a better service and freeing up NHS workers to focus on what they do best.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Thanks in no small part to work being led by Steve Houghton and Barnsley Council, we’re building a bigger, better economy in South Yorkshire, creating jobs and opportunities in the industries that will define the next generation and beyond.
“That’s why the government have recognised Barnsley as the UK’s first Tech Town.
“Because we have already built a thriving digital ecosystem, from The Seam Digital Campus and the growing cluster of digital and creative businesses, to the cutting edge training at Barnsley College and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology.
“Barnsley has all the foundations of a modern, thriving tech economy.
“This is a place that is driving real change across our region.
“Being recognised as the first Tech Town in the UK both reflects and reinforces that momentum, strengthening South Yorkshire’s position as one of the most exciting tech communities in the country.”
