Suggestions for AI to be Taught in Schools

Schools must include AI in their curriculum as demand for tech skills booms, recent research suggests.

20:34 15 November 2022

A recently published report commissioned by Amazon from Capital Economics highlights the importance of teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in secondary schools in resolving the skills gap in the fields of computer science and other related roles. The document estimates that the demand for jobs that require machine learning skills will increase by up to 40per cent in the next 5 years. 

The research comes as Amazon launches the inaugural Alexa Young Innovator Challenge, a project designed to inspire young people about the potential of artificial intelligence as well as provide teachers and educators with free curriculum-linked lesson plans and materials to support the development of AI learning in the UK classrooms. 

Lauren Kisser, Technology Director at Amazon and UK Ambassador for Amazon Future Engineer, said: “AI is the world’s fastest growing technologyand the UK is striving to be among the world’s leaders in this field, with 56% of businesses planning to increase investment in AI technologies within the next three years,”

She added: “Through the Alexa Young Innovator Challenge, we hope to not only build confidence in students’ ability to understand and control this incredible technology but also inspire young minds, regardless of their background, to realise their potential as creators, thinkers and builders of the future; using AI to create innovative solutions to real world problems.”