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A joint initiative between the UK government and industry giants like BAE Systems is aiming to convert thousands of graduate into experts in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector.

With the AI sector growing at 17 per cent a year, the government is to provide investment of over £100 million to bring graduates up to speed with the skills and talents needed to succeed in the mushrooming industry.

The nationwide programme will include hundreds of AI Masters courses at UK universities alongside work-based placements to hone artificial intelligence skills on the job.

In addition to BAE Systems, other leading names in the sector such as Cisco,

Deepmind and QuantumBlack are also on board with the scheme.

The Industry of Coding & British Computer Society is also behind the initiative, attempting to address a growing skills gap in the UK’s Artificial Intelligence sector.

As well as up to 200 Masters courses at UK universities, the investment will also be used to set up and fund 16 Research & Innovation AI Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) where 1,000 students will gain PhDs in the burgeoning sector.

Explaining the need for a new skills and talent package in the AI sector, Jeremy Wright, the Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said, “The UK is not only the birthplace to the father of artificial intelligence, Alan Turing, but we are leading the way on work to ensure AI innovation has ethics at its core.”

“We want to keep up this momentum and cement our reputation as pioneers in AI. Working with world class academic institutions and industry we will be able to train the next generation of top-tier AI talent and maintain the UK’s reputation as a trailblazer in emerging technologies,” added Mr Wright.

Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, also commented, saying, “The UK has long been a nation of innovators. This AI skills and talent investment will help nurture leading UK and international talent to ensure we retain our world-beating reputation in research and development.”

“Artificial intelligence has great potential to drive up productivity and enhance every industry throughout our economy, from more effective disease diagnosis to building smart homes. Today’s announcement is our modern Industrial Strategy in action, investing in skills and talent to drive high skilled jobs, growth and productivity across the UK,” added Mr Clark.

Professor Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, welcomed the announcement, saying: “To maintain its leadership in AI, the UK will need a new generation of researchers, business leaders and entrepreneurs equipped with new skills. Working with partners across academia and industry, the centres announced today will provide the foundations for these future leaders.”