A series of initiatives have begun in the UK's first tech town, Barnsley.
Two pilots will demonstrate how AI can support both local workers and frontline services, building a blueprint that can be used by communities across the country.
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will begin deploying AI tools to cut waiting lists, missed appointments and admin burden on staff. It is hoped that patients will benefit from shorter hospital waiting lists and fewer missed appointments.
A new ‘Healthcare Living Lab’ will be created by Cisco through its Lister Alliance collaboration. It is hoped this will reduce missed appointments, improve outpatient flow, support decision‑making and cut time spent on paperwork. By trialling these tools in a hospital environment, the Living Lab will generate evidence on what works for staff and patients, to see how similar approaches could be adopted across the NHS.
Meanwhile new £800,000 AI Upskilling Challenge Fund will be available for SMEs in key industries like manufacturing and residents. This could be manufacturers looking to boost productivity or voluntary groups supporting older residents who may lack confidence with technology.
Organisations will be invited to pitch for how they might provide this training.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: "When we named Barnsley the UK’s first Tech Town, we made a promise to the people there – that this wouldn’t just be a title, but a real commitment to making AI work for their lives and their community.
"Today we’re delivering on that promise by giving local businesses and workers the tools and confidence to embrace AI as well as deploying AI in Barnsley Hospital to help cut waiting lists and ensure NHS staff spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients.
"Barnsley is showing the rest of the country how we can use tech to build a future that works for all."
Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: "This will be the first real example of Tech Town in action in Barnsley, supporting the healthcare and business sectors.
"We’ve already started to revolutionise healthcare with our Health on the High Street project, and the Living Lab will now take this a step further by reducing pressures on staff, giving them new skills and making it easier for them to provide the best possible care for patients.
"The AI Upskilling Challenge Fund will play a crucial role in helping residents build future‑ready skills, adapt to technological change and remain competitive in an evolving labour market, while also allowing employers to future-proof their operations through the tailored support available, delivering on 2 of the key missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy."
