Barnsley has been renamed Britain’s first ‘tech city’, with ministers revealing plans to use artificial intelligence to improve local schools, healthcare and businesses as part of the government’s drive to embed AI across the economy.
The appointment was announced by Technology Minister Liz Kendall, who said the South Yorkshire city would act as a national testing ground for “how AI can improve everyday life”. As part of the initiative, US technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Adobe will support the council in expanding the use of AI to public services and the local economy.
The program provides residents with free AI and digital skills training, helps small businesses adopt AI tools, and tests new systems in healthcare and education. Plans include testing AI-powered check-ins, triage and outpatient care in local hospitals, introducing AI tools into GP services, and trialling AI applications in schools and Barnsley College to improve performance and reduce teacher workloads.
Barnsley was chosen in part because it has already moved faster than many other areas in adopting AI. The council has deployed AI assistants in adult social care and childcare, while sensor-equipped garbage trucks have been deployed to scan streets for potholes. Logistics company Evri, which operates a large distribution center in the city, has also tested robotic technology for deliveries.
Sir Stephen Houghton, Labor leader of Barnsley District Council, said the initiative was the biggest economic opportunity for the region since the decline of the coal mining industry. “Barnsley’s economic base was destroyed 30 years ago,” he said. “The future of business lies in technology, and being at the center of it is an incredible opportunity.”
The exact financial agreements with the technology companies remain unclear. Houghton said the council would not pay them directly and some companies would be expected to donate free of charge. Microsoft is already working with Barnsley College and Google and Cisco are reportedly offering free support.
Kendall said lessons learned in Barnsley would inform a wider national rollout. “If we can show that AI helps young people learn, helps local businesses be more productive and improves public services, then we can show what is possible for the whole country,” she said.
But the initiative comes amid a broader debate about the government’s relationship with Big Tech. Recent criticism has focused on the content of a new national AI training program and the frequency of ministerial meetings with technology managers. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology said hundreds of courses on its AI Skills Hub are free and all offerings are assessed against common quality criteria.
Local opposition figures welcomed the investment but warned of public concern. Hannah Kitching, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the local council, said there was concern about the potential downsides of AI, particularly among older residents. She added that while new opportunities were welcome, many people wanted the council to focus on basics such as road repairs and waste collection alongside its technical ambitions.
