AI FOR ALL: GETTING LIVERPOOL CITY REGION FUTURE-READY

The recent, highly acclaimed LCR AI Summit brought together business leaders, educators, and tech experts to share how AI is driving growth and world-class innovation in our region. It’s clear that the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, is firmly committed to putting people at the heart of this AI-driven change, and he has an ambitious team dedicated to achieving this.

However, a warning was sounded at the conference too: whilst businesses and industry sectors are embracing AI in our region, as individuals, our confidence, trust, and use of AI are lower than those in the rest of the UK. Dr Nicola Hodson, UK Chief Executive of IBM and a key speaker at the event, explained the importance of putting this right as soon as possible. The stark message is that anyone who doesn’t develop AI skills risks being left behind.

How our region sees AI

At the AI Summit, Dr Hodson shared IBM and YouGov’s latest research, which shows that whilst we have world-class AI initiatives in the region, in some areas we are falling behind:

• Only 42% of people in our region believe AI will benefit society. That’s 10% lower than the national average.
• Around one-third of LCR residents use AI-powered customer tools, such as chatbots, daily or several times a week, which is below national levels.
• Positively, 30% of North West firms say AI is strategically important, the highest figure in the North of England.

So, our business leaders can see AI’s potential, but the person on the street is less sure how it fits into their lives. To ensure a future for our region where AI benefits everyone, each one of us must get stuck in and start developing our skills.

Beyond the workplace

AI isn’t just about robots or tech companies. It’s already part of everyday life, helping doctors spot diseases earlier, supporting teachers, improving customer service, and making deliveries more efficient. Many of us are using AI without even realising it when we use chatbots on websites, sell something on eBay, or use voice assistants like Siri or Alexa.

Why AI skills are critical

The LCR AI Summit theme was AI for Good; in other words, using AI to improve lives and the future of our region. But to benefit from AI, people need to know how to use and apply it. Not just software engineers and digital experts, but everyone: workers, job seekers, families, students, and business owners. If not, these are the risks we face:

• Missed opportunities: funding goes to regions with more digital confidence.
• Career challenges: employers start favouring people with AI skills
• Inequality: if not everyone has access to AI knowledge, skills and tools, sections of the community will not be properly supported or represented.

The more people understand and use AI, the stronger and fairer our local economy becomes.

Access free training now

So, let’s get ourselves trained! The good news is that people across the Liverpool City Region can access high-quality AI training for free. Two major programmes stand out:

1. IBM SkillsBuild

• Offers free short, hands-on courses in AI, data, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital literacy.
• Includes beginner lessons such as What is Artificial Intelligence and AI Fundamentals.
• Courses are self-paced, great for fitting around work or other commitments.

Find out more: SkillsBuild

2. STFC Hartree Centre Training 

• Offers free self-learning and virtual courses in data science, AI and digital innovation.
• Designed for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners.
• Beginners’ courses include Beginner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Beginner’s Guide to Generative AI
• Based locally at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

Find out more: The Hartree Centre.

Take the first step

Why not take the first step to getting familiar with AI? Even if you feel unsure, the best way to overcome any fear is to become an expert in whatever you’re worried about. You can pick a short course from one of the platforms above and set aside an hour to complete it. And you can add any AI-related courses you have done to your CV, instantly boosting your job and career prospects! You could even get your friends, family or work colleagues to join in. Let’s all be part of the drive to get the Liverpool City Region fully AI-literate and leave no one behind!