The government has pledged “up to £23 million” to create more AI and data conversion courses which it says will help young people from underrepresented groups including women, black people, and people with disabilities join the industry.

The money will support up to two thousand scholarships for masters AI conversion courses, which enable graduates to do further study courses in the field even if their undergraduate course is not directly related.

“The next generation of AI researchers must be representative of the world around us if AI is to benefit the whole of society,” said Obum Ekeke, head of education partnerships, DeepMind. “These scholarships will help to build a stronger and more diverse AI community in the UK, and bring a wider range of experiences - as well as valuable multidisciplinary expertise - to the field.”

The government is asking companies to match-fund the AI scholarships for the conversion courses.

“The UK is already a world leader in AI,” said Chris Philp, DCMS minister for tech and the digital economy. “Today we’re investing millions to ensure people from all parts of society can access the opportunities and benefits AI is creating in this country.

“We are doubling the number of AI scholarships previously available to underrepresented groups to build a diverse and inclusive workforce fit for the future of tech.”

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