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Google UK Launches AI Upskilling Initiative to Train 10 Million Workers by 2030

Google UK reports AI Trailblazers in the UK save 8 hours weekly, with 1.2 million trained via its Digital Garage program.

Image: Google AI

Google UK has launched an initiative to address uneven AI adoption across the workforce, aiming to train 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030. The company’s research highlights that the top 15% of AI users, known as Trailblazers, report significant career benefits, including higher promotion rates and pay increases. These users save approximately 8 hours weekly, effectively gaining an extra day of productivity. The initiative builds on Google’s Digital Garage program, which has trained over 1.2 million people since 2013.

The research underscores that AI adoption is uneven, with most UK workers still in early stages of use. Google has segmented the workforce into four groups: AI Spectators, Experimenters, Practitioners, and Trailblazers. While 15% of users are Trailblazers, the majority remain in earlier stages. The company attributes this gap to behavioral, cognitive, and organizational barriers, including a lack of guidance and outdated search habits. To bridge this divide, Google is launching an AI skills quiz and a nationwide upskilling program called AI Works for Britain.

According to the report, AI adoption in the UK has doubled in the past year, reaching 73% from 34% in 2025. However, this growth is uneven, with disparities across age groups, genders, and regions. Google emphasizes that becoming a Trailblazer does not require technical expertise and that the barriers to adoption are largely surmountable with collective effort. The company aims to close the adoption gap and foster a workforce capable of leveraging AI for broader economic growth.

Source: googleai

Key points

Google UK reports AI Trailblazers save 8 hours weekly, gaining an extra day of productivity.
AI adoption in the UK has doubled in the past year, reaching 73% from 34% in 2025.
Google’s Digital Garage program has trained over 1.2 million people since 2013.
Trailblazers are 84% more likely to have been promoted in the past year.
Trailblazers are 88% more likely to achieve a positive performance review.
Trailblazers are 55% more likely to secure a pay rise.
Google aims to train 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030.

Source: Google AI Read the original →

WRITTEN BY

Marcus Feld

AI Business & Markets

Marcus reports on AI funding, acquisitions, partnerships, and the business behind the technology.