The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recorded 128,779 completions of AI-related training in the year to April, highlighting the scale of efforts to build digital skills across the UK’s public services.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request and analysed by think tank Parliament Street, cover training completed by DWP staff between 1st May 2025 and 30th April 2026.
The department, the UK’s largest public service organisation, reported participation across 12 AI training programmes delivered by the Cabinet Office as part of its cross-government digital skills initiative. Courses ranged from introductory AI literacy to more advanced machine learning.
The largest uptake was for the ‘AI for All’ pathway, with 73,045 completions for Part One and a further 53,001 for Part Two. A further 1,620 employees completed training aimed at the Senior Civil Service, while nine more specialised programmes accounted for 1,113 completions between them.
The total cost of delivering AI-related learning at the DWP during the 12-month period was £112,995.
The figures come as the government expands its AI Skills Boost programme, which aims to provide 10m workers with practical AI skills by 2030. Free courses are now available to adults across the UK, with the DWP among the programme’s named partners.
The scale of training is significant for a department that handles sensitive information relating to welfare payments, pensions, employment support and identity verification. Greater use of AI and other digital technologies in public services is likely to increase the importance of data quality, security and staff understanding of how automated systems are being used.
Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, said investment in digital skills was particularly important as data increasingly underpins public-sector decision-making and service delivery.
“Being able to understand data accurately is no longer something that can be overlooked and is essential for maintaining public trust,” he said. “AI skills are urgently needed as society adapts to the new normal. Equally as important are the data skills that drive successful, safe and secure AI adoption.”
Sheila Flavell, CBE, COO of FDM Group, said government, businesses and education providers needed to invest in both existing employees and new entrants to the workforce.
“AI has reshaped the workplace, and with the right investment in training, organisations can move away from constant oversight and instead trust teams to use these tools with confidence and accountability,” she said.
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