Google and King’s Trust Partner to Boost AI Skills for UK Youth

The King’s Trust has launched an initiative to equip young people across the UK with essential AI skills, supported by a £1.2m grant from Google.org. The King’s Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III, aims to help individuals aged 11 to 30 develop confidence and job skills, ensuring they are prepared for an AI-driven workforce.

Jonathan Townsend, CEO of The King’s Trust, emphasized the importance of bridging the AI skills gap to prevent deepening inequalities. He noted that access to AI knowledge and confidence should be available to all, regardless of background. King Charles, who has been vocal about AI, recently gathered tech leaders to discuss the technology's development, calling it both 'intriguing and deeply concerning.'

Data from Hexagon reveals that 85% of children have used AI in the past three months, compared to 75% of adults, indicating a generational shift in AI exposure. The King’s Trust Gen(eration) AI Report found that one in five young people have altered their career choices due to AI, and over a quarter have avoided certain jobs fearing AI replacement.

David Black, Senior Director at Google UK, highlighted how the right skills can transform an individual’s trajectory. The Google.org grant will provide accredited AI training, recognized qualifications, and practical tools to young people, particularly those not in education, employment, or training. The initiative aligns with Skills England’s Employability Skills Framework and aims to create clear pathways to skilled jobs in an AI-powered economy.

The partnership was announced at the London Stock Exchange, with the UK’s Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, praising the effort as a complement to the government’s £2.5bn-backed reforms to support employment. The King’s Trust is collaborating with technology professionals, employers, and expert partners to ensure AI tools enhance core employability skills.