Good Things partners with Accenture to improve digital skills and basic AI literacy

Improving digital skills and basic AI literacy

Good Things is partnering with Accenture to improve digital skills and basic AI literacy for disadvantaged adults.

As a strategic AI partner, Accenture will co-develop AI learning content available both online and at over 5,000 community hubs in the National Digital Inclusion Network.

The leading global professional services company will also train over 1,000 community leaders and volunteers to deliver the course. 

The partnership, which will additionally support participants with access to mobile connectivity data and devices, is part of Accenture’s wider community strand in their new - Regenerative AI - initiative.

Working together

“Accenture’s expertise in Generative AI and skills development makes them a great ally in helping us to overcome new barriers, supporting our mission to eradicate digital exclusion. Our partnership will lead the way in the UK, demonstrating how industry can work together with charities to address ever-evolving challenges faced by disadvantaged people. Our programme will support thousands of people to understand how they are currently using AI, and how it can support them. Working with our community partners in the National Digital Inclusion Network, we will help to get AI on the nation’s curriculum, ensuring that people can access the support they vitally need.” 

 

- Helen Milner, OBE, Group CEO, Good Things Foundation

Delivering education and mentorship for all

The initiative will deliver education and mentorship for individuals of all ages, free of charge, across the UK.

Over the next three years, it will bring community partners and organisations together with volunteers from Accenture to help over a million people build their AI skills, through a series of programmes that will enable them to access devices, data and AI literacy courses.

According to Accenture’s recent analysis, the UK could stand to gain an additional £736bn above baseline from generative AI by 2038. 

Currently, 8.5 million adults in the UK still lack basic digital skills, putting them at risk of missing out on the educational, social and economic opportunities offered by AI.

The potential of AI

“In just a short period of time, Generative AI has already shown that it has the potential to bring enormous economic gains for the UK. The true accelerator for AI will be people and equipping the UK’s current and future workforce as well as the wider community with the skills to use it. With millions of people in the UK still lacking basic digital skills, the need for action to bridge this gap has never been more important. Working hand in hand with our partners, we are not just aiming to close the digital divide but fostering a more inclusive and thriving economy."

 

- Shaheen Sayed, Head of Accenture in the UK, Ireland & Africa

"AI is poised to be a transformative force and ensuring people have the digital skills to match these opportunities is key to unlocking its potential and creating a workforce fit for the future. That’s why it is so important that these opportunities are available to everyone. The statistics are disturbing. Women make up less than 30% of the tech workforce whilst those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds account for less than 10%. This government is committed to closing the digital skills gap and breaking down barriers to careers in tech and I welcome Accenture's 'Regenerative AI' initiative which recognises the importance of this goal. I encourage other businesses to follow suit and help us ensure the benefits of technology are geared not just towards a growing economy but an inclusive economy too.”

- Minister Sir Chris Bryant

As part of its commitment to helping people succeed in the era of AI, Accenture has already trained more than 600,000 of its employees in the fundamentals of AI. Accenture also recently launched LearnVantage, a comprehensive AI-native technology learning and training service.

For more information about Accenture, visit  www.accenture.com.