November 29, 2024 – On the 27th, according to a Reuters report, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially opened London’s first Google-funded artificial intelligence campus. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of young people in this rapidly evolving field.
Located in the Camden district, where Google’s future Kings Cross office is set to be established, the center has kicked off a two-year pilot program for local students. The first batch of participants includes 32 students aged between 16 and 18. They will have access to resources related to AI and machine learning, as well as mentorship from DeepMind, Google’s AI company.
Within the campus, these students will engage in practical projects that apply AI in various domains such as health, social science, and art. Google revealed that the project was created in collaboration with the local government.
Starmer described the opening as “a historic moment” that will enable many disadvantaged students to envision their potential role in the future of AI. “It is in places like this that we will shape the future and inspire the next generation, because the potential of artificial intelligence is incredible,” he stated.
Debbie Weinstein, the Managing Director of Google UK and Ireland, announced a funding commitment of £865,000 towards an AI literacy program in the UK. This funding, managed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Parent Zone, will be used for teacher training. The goal is to reach over 250,000 students by the end of 2026.
“We believe that the vast opportunities presented by AI should be accessible to everyone. This groundbreaking project will empower the next generation with crucial digital skills, becoming a key driver in unlocking the UK’s £400 billion economic potential in artificial intelligence,” Weinstein concluded.
