Databricks, a data and AI company, has announced a significant investment of over $10 million to provide free data and artificial intelligence training to 100,000 individuals across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The multi-year program aims to equip students, professionals, and public sector employees with critical skills, directly addressing the region’s growing technology talent shortage and preparing the workforce for an AI-driven economy.
The initiative, set to run until 2028, will deliver a comprehensive curriculum focused on generative AI, machine learning, data engineering, and analytics. This commitment confronts a critical economic challenge, as reports indicate that a lack of necessary AI skills is a primary barrier holding back businesses in both nations. By offering no-cost access to its Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and self-paced training materials, the company intends to build a pipeline of talent capable of navigating the complexities of modern data science and helping businesses remain competitive on a global stage.
Addressing a Critical Skills Shortage
The program arrives at a crucial moment for the UK and Irish economies. According to a recent Microsoft report, 68% of Irish organizations state their workforce lacks the AI skills needed to compete effectively. This sentiment is echoed in the UK, where data skills gaps are estimated to cause annual economic losses of around £62 billion. The World Economic Forum projects that AI and machine learning specialists will be among the fastest-growing global roles, with demand forecast to increase by 40% by 2027.
Databricks’ initiative targets this gap directly. The widespread need for upskilling is clear, with one recent survey revealing that 61% of UK workers have never received any workplace training on AI. At the same time, employees show a strong desire to learn, as studies indicate that approximately nine in 10 workers want to improve their AI and data skills. The investment aims to bridge this divide between demand and supply, fostering a more resilient and adaptable workforce.
Structure of the Training Initiative
The more than $10 million investment will fund a multi-faceted educational program delivered through a combination of online and in-person courses. The core of the offering is the Databricks Free Edition program, which provides access to the company’s foundational technology platform. This platform is a sophisticated system designed to centralize an organization’s data, allowing users to discover, manage, and utilize information for data-driven decisions.
Curriculum and Learning Pathways
The curriculum is designed to prepare participants for high-demand roles in the technology sector, including data engineering, machine learning development, and data analytics. A key component of the training will involve the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, which unifies data storage, processing, and governance. This “data lakehouse” architecture combines the flexibility of data lakes for unstructured data with the performance of data warehouses for structured data, providing a comprehensive foundation for modern AI applications.
A significant focus will be placed on generative AI and the deployment of AI agents. Participants will learn to use tools like Agent Bricks to build and deploy these autonomous systems. AI agents are software components that can execute complex tasks without constant human oversight, such as monitoring data pipelines for errors, detecting financial fraud patterns, or optimizing business processes. By training individuals on these advanced applications, the program seeks to move beyond basic AI literacy to create a workforce capable of building and managing sophisticated AI solutions.
Public and Academic Alliances
A central pillar of the strategy involves deep collaboration with governmental and academic institutions. Databricks has joined the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s “Get Tech Certified this Autumn” programme, a three-month initiative aimed at upskilling public sector employees in AI and machine learning. This supports the government’s broader “Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government,” which aims for one in ten civil servants to be in digital or technology roles within five years.
Furthermore, the company has expanded its University Alliance Programme to include more than 40 universities across the UK and Ireland. Institutions such as the London School of Economics, University College Dublin, and the University of Salford have integrated the Databricks platform into their academic courses. Dr. Marcos Barreto, Associate Professor of Data Science at the London School of Economics, noted the program’s importance, stating that it allows students to “learn the latest in big data programming and analytics, which is essential to flourish in the fast-paced AI sector.”
Economic Implications for the Region
The push for widespread AI and data literacy is tied to significant economic stakes. Government and industry reports project that AI could boost the UK’s GDP by as much as 10% by 2030, with one plausible estimate suggesting an increase of £550 billion by 2035 if the right enablers are in place. Michael Green, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Databricks, emphasized this connection, stating, “The right data and AI skills are essential in enabling UK and Irish businesses to scale AI agents and remain competitive on a global stage.”
However, industry leaders have expressed concern that the UK is not moving quickly enough to seize these opportunities. Initiatives like the one from Databricks are positioned as a direct response, aiming to provide the skilled workforce necessary to drive AI adoption and innovation. The program’s success could help unlock significant productivity gains and ensure the region captures the economic benefits promised by the AI revolution.
Databricks’ Strategic European Focus
This training commitment aligns with Databricks’ growing presence and investment in the region. The company, which already serves over half of the FTSE 100 companies, including Barclays, Reckitt, and Shell, employs more than 500 people in the UK and Ireland. It operates from a central London hub that opened in 2024, signaling a long-term strategic focus on the European market. Samuel Bonamigo, a Senior Vice President at the company, framed the initiative as a way to help local enterprises “quickly and safely scale trusted AI apps and agents.”
By investing in the local talent pool, Databricks not only supports its existing client base—which includes Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic—but also cultivates future customers and employees. This creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem where skilled professionals drive the adoption of advanced data platforms, which in turn fuels further innovation and economic growth.
