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As companies invest millions into artificial intelligence, reports from sources such as MIT are beginning to suggest that over-reliance on generative AI can reduce critical thinking. This resulting human skills deficit could itself threaten the effective adoption of AI if not properly addressed, according to findings published today by learning scientists at upskilling platform Multiverse.

The researchers found that creativity, analytical reasoning and systems thinking are among the 13 human skillsets required for the workforce to successfully adopt AI. These sit alongside technical skills such as prompt engineering, AI model evaluation and AI process modelling, and hold the keys to effectively bringing together people and technology to drive value.

The findings were uncovered through qualitative and observational research with AI power-users, alongside expertise derived from upskilling thousands of workers in the use of the technology. The resulting skills framework will support workers and organisations looking to improve their AI maturity – their ability to deliver meaningful impact with AI.

Accenture predicts that AI could contribute £736 billion to UK GDP by 2038, but also notes that leading companies are nearly twice as likely to prioritise ‘soft skills’. A substantial gap between AI’s potential and the human skills required to use it effectively could therefore represent a major risk to UK productivity and growth.

“Leaders are spending millions on AI tools, but their investment focus isn't going to succeed. They think it's a technology problem when it's really a human and technology problem. Without a deliberate focus on capabilities like analytical reasoning and creativity, as well as culture and behaviours, AI projects will never deliver up to their potential," said Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse. "This framework provides a new model for talent development in the age of AI, which must include human skills as well as technical skills in order to drive tangible business results.”

Focusing on the requirements for effective collaboration between humans and AI, 13 human skills have been identified as critical to support technical AI adoption. These form part of Multiverse’s broader skills taxonomy, a hierarchical system mapping the skills required for success in the digital era.

The most essential human skills identified for meaningful AI adoption are:

Cognitive skills: Mental abilities used for learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

1. Analytical reasoning: Breaking down complex information for AI to more effectively deliver its instructions; recognising tasks that AI is not suitable for.
2. Creativity: Pushing the boundaries of AI use and experimenting with new approaches to drive innovation.
3. Systems thinking: Identifying patterns in AI performance to predict how AI will respond to a task.

Responsible AI skills: Applying ethical principles to ensure the responsible use of AI, considering its impact on individuals and society.

1. AI ethics: Spotting bias and recognising how it affects AI outcomes; using AI outputs in an ethically sound way to inform business recommendations.
2. Cultural sensitivity: Identifying when AI outputs lack sufficient geographic or cultural awareness.

Self-management skills: Recognising thoughts, values, feelings, and behaviours, and how they impact the ability to achieve objectives when using AI.

1. Curiosity: Examining the broader context and requirements of a task to augment AI outputs.
2. Self-regulated learning: Reflecting on the success of a chosen AI approach; partnering with AI to self-assess its outputs.
3. Detail orientation: Fact checking AI for hallucinations and errors; using one’s own domain expertise to ensure accuracy.
4. Adaptability: Iterating and refining one’s approach to interacting with AI based on the quality of outputs.
5. Determination: Patience and willingness to continue trialling new approaches with AI, even during unsuccessful AI interactions.

Communication skills: Strong interpersonal skills which support the optimisation of AI outputs.

1. Empathy: Treating AI as an extension of one’s own mind and thoughts; anthropomorphising AI to create more thoughtful, receptive, and intentional dialogue.
2. Tailoring communication: Discerning whether AI output has the desired tone for a particular audience or situation, and refining prompts if it is not.
3. Exchanging feedback: Using AI to proactively seek feedback on work.

These key skillsets, alongside the broader skills taxonomy, underpin the proprietary skills assessment tools embedded in the Multiverse platform. These tools help organisations better understand the current capabilities of their staff ahead of embarking on upskilling initiatives.

“We need to start looking beyond technical skills and think about the human skills that the workforce must hone to get the best out of AI,” said Imogen Stanley, Senior Learning Scientist at Multiverse, who led the development of the skills taxonomy. “What we found during our first principles research phase was that skills like ethical oversight, output verification, and creative experimentation are the real differentiators of power AI users. By developing these specific skills, employees can move from being passive users of AI to active drivers of innovation and value.”

Multiverse is the upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption, which delivers personalised, on-the-job learning. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016.

Over 1,500 companies work with Multiverse to deliver impactful learning that’s transforming the workforce at scale. Programmes are targeted at people of any age or career stage.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has partnered with Multiverse to launch a Transformation Academy for staff. A suite of tailored data and AI courses will enable teams to harness data and insights to improve decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and drive a culture of innovation to improve service for its members.

The academy will provide upskilling opportunities that will support RICS’ mission to modernise its workforce and elevate built and natural environment industry standards. With a focus on both foundational and advanced AI and data skills, the training will enable staff to implement new ways of working and optimise processes.

This will in turn enhance the experiences provided to members from faster, more responsive support to more relevant insights and services. It will also enable RICS to streamline internal reporting and processes, and make smarter, data-informed decisions that strengthen its role as a trusted voice in the built and natural environment.

According to Multiverse’s Skills Intelligence Report 2025, the construction industry loses 26 days of productivity every year, with 33.9% of employees’ time working in data spent ineffectively. RICS is enhancing its workforce capabilities by enrolling teams across three specialised cohorts, each aligned to deliver hands-on experience to ensure AI and data training can be applied to role-specific day-to-day activities.

The Data Cohort will focus on building a strong foundation through the Level 3 Data Insights, Level 4 Data Fellowship, and Level 5 Applied Data Engineering courses. Practical tools like Microsoft PowerBI will be introduced to apply insights in real time.

The Transformation and Project Management Cohort will take the Level 4 Business Transformation and AI for Business Value courses. Meanwhile, the AI Cohort will learn how to apply AI-driven tools to deliver measurable improvements via Multiverse’s Level 3 AI-Powered Productivity and Level 4 AI for Business Value.

Robyn Mckenna, Chief Product Development Officer at RICS, said: “At RICS, we’re committed to equipping our people with the skills and tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. The launch of the Transformation Academy in partnership with Multiverse is a critical step in embedding data and AI capability across our organisation. It will not only improve how we operate internally but also how we serve our members; with faster insights, smarter decision-making, and a stronger foundation for innovation. This is about future-proofing both our workforce and the profession we support.”

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse, said: "RICS is a world-renowned organisation with a 150-year foundation of supporting a sustainable and insight-led chartered surveyor community. The launch of our training programme underlines this commitment, supporting teams with the digital tools and skills they need to make data-driven decisions, enhance client service and streamline manual processes.”

Multiverse is the upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption, which delivers personalised, on-the-job learning. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016.

Over 1,500 companies work with Multiverse to deliver a new kind of learning that’s transforming the workforce at scale. Programmes are targeted at people of any age or career stage.

D’Arcy joins from MongoDB, where as Head of EMEA he helped scale the business to $700M in ARR, representing over 30% of MongoDB’s global revenue. His appointment as CRO will help scale Multiverse's goal to build the AI adoption layer for the enterprise through transforming workforce skills.

D’Arcy is the latest in a series of strategic Multiverse leadership appointments in the past year, including MongoDB’s Jillian Gillespie as CFO and digital pioneer Martha Lane Fox to the Board. This latest move underpins Multiverse’s ambition to become a generational British tech success story by solving a critical problem: while companies are investing heavily in AI tools, they lack the workforce skills to unlock their true value.

D’Arcy brings extensive experience in scaling high-growth technology companies. Prior to his success at MongoDB, he spent over twelve years at BMC Software, where he led BMC UK to $500M in revenue, making it the top-performing region worldwide. His expertise will be instrumental as Multiverse builds upon its partnerships with leading global companies. Multiverse works with over a quarter of the FTSE 100, as well as 100 NHS trusts and more than 55 local councils.

Euan Blair, Founder and CEO of Multiverse, said: “Truly seizing the AI opportunity requires companies to build a bridge between tech and talent - both within Multiverse and for our customers. Bringing on a world-class leader like Donn, with his incredible track record at MongoDB, is a critical step in our goal to equip every business with the workforce of tomorrow.”

Donn D’Arcy, Chief Revenue Officer at Multiverse, said: “Enterprise AI adoption won't happen without fixing the skills gap. Multiverse is the critical partner for any company serious about making AI a reality, and its focus on developing people as the most crucial component of the tech stack is what really drew me to the organisation. The talent density, and the pathway to hyper growth, means the next chapter here is tremendously exciting.”

D’Arcy joins as Multiverse continues to ramp up business momentum. Multiverse has more than doubled its revenue in the last two years, with more than 22,000 learners now in its global community of tech, data and AI upskillers.

To accelerate this growth and help organisations capitalise on AI, the company recently announced a commitment to create 15,000 new AI apprenticeships over the next two years, directly addressing the skills bottleneck that hinders technology adoption.

Today Multiverse, the upskilling platform for tech and AI adoption, announces a commitment to train 15,000 new AI apprentices over the next two years. This ambitious initiative supports the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan, laying out a tangible first step towards expanding pathways into AI careers across the nation.

The adoption of AI technologies is projected to contribute £79.3 billion to the UK economy by 2035, but businesses urgently need skilled workers in order to realise these gains. More than half of workers have received fewer than five hours of training on AI, and just one third (34%) of FTSE 100 companies reference AI training in their latest annual reports.

These new AI apprenticeships will be created and delivered in partnership with leading employers across the country, including Skanska, John Lewis Partnership, Visa, The University of Manchester and Legal & General, ensuring that AI opportunities are not confined to certain regions.

Multiverse’s existing AI learner base spans geographic locations. More than 2,200 AI apprentices are currently enrolled through over 200 employers, from Wigan to Wiltshire and Manchester to Maidstone, demonstrating the nationwide demand for these critical skills. The 15,000 new AI apprentices will join their ranks, creating a nationwide community of AI experts that will boost the productivity and innovation of their organisations.

Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said: "Cutting-edge technologies like AI are transforming the way our economy works, so it is vital that British people have the right skills to make the most of the new opportunities tech presents. These efforts are central to the ambitions for jobs and growth, at the heart of our Plan for Change.

“Multiverse's commitment to thousands of AI apprenticeships will help us achieve just that, backing people right across our country to develop the skills they need to for a career in AI, no matter where they live.”

Katy Dowding, President and CEO at Skanska, said: “The construction industry is a key driver of economic growth, and we are equipping ourselves with the core foundational skills in AI that will ensure we can support our customers in delivering their ambitions, drive efficiency and improve productivity. Our first 25 AI apprentices are already showing the great potential of these technologies.”

Financial services provider Legal and General recognised the opportunity to proactively adopt responsible AI across its functions through upskilling. It has 50 apprentices on AI programmes.

Derrick Hastie, Chief Technology Officer, Asset Management, L&G said: “AI isn't just a buzzword for us; it's a critical enabler of efficiency and growth. AI will soon be embedded in all our delivery teams, to help us create innovative solutions for our customers. But technology alone isn't enough. Education and skills are essential to ensure our people aren't just observers of change — they're active architects of it.”

Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Non-Executive Director at Multiverse, said: "The promise of AI will remain unfulfilled unless all kinds of people possess the skills to truly harness it. This is no longer a distant concern but an urgent agenda in boardrooms nationwide. Training is a vital conduit to productivity, ensuring that the UK workforce is not just AI-literate, but AI-fluent, and capable of turning potential into prosperity."

Euan Blair, CEO, Multiverse, said: "Whether it's impacting you directly yet or not, we are already undergoing an AI revolution - and the key to winning in this new era lies in augmenting human capability. Our commitment to 15,000 AI apprenticeships is a bold declaration that AI skills must be for everyone, at every stage of their career. We want to equip entire organisations with the ability to seize the opportunities AI offers and build the workforce of tomorrow."

The new AI apprentices will enrol through their employers as early as June, either coming in as new hires or through upskilling initiatives for existing staff, and programmes will be funded by the Growth and Skills Levy. Learners will develop skills tailored to their requisite level of expertise, from AI ethics and prompt engineering, to data management and governance, to building and deploying machine learning and AI models.

All programmes will be delivered by industry-expert coaches, with apprentices’ new skills applied within the day-to-day requirements of their roles. Business impact is measured through projects, in the form of new revenue unlocked by skills, or costs avoided through additional productivity.

Rachané Bryan-Henderson, an account manager at advertising agency BBH, part of Publicis Groupe, said: “As someone who didn’t go to university I didn’t take a “traditional” pathway. The experience I gained through working has stood me in good stead, but AI now gives me an even greater advantage. By applying these new skills in my role I’m able to lead the way in my company, putting AI to use as we grow.”

For more information on apprenticeships, visit the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship service.

Professional services company Capita has enrolled nearly 200 apprentices onto AI programmes across its UK offices, from Bradford to Bristol. Adolfo Hernandez, Capita’s CEO, said: "Developing our colleagues’ AI proficiency is not just about identifying opportunities for efficiency, but about future-proofing our workforce and driving innovation across our organisation. By combining people, processes, and technology we help our clients across the public and private sectors deliver better, faster, and more efficient services to customers and citizens. We see AI as a once-in-a-generation shift that will redefine how organisations operate, and Multiverse's approach ensures our colleagues gain practical, job-relevant AI skills that make an immediate impact."

Nottingham City Council is upskilling 40 of its staff in AI, the latest step in its efforts to digitally transform its workforce. Sajeeda Rose, chief executive of Nottingham City Council, said: “As a council we are always looking for ways to bring better services to the people of Nottingham.Combining data insights with AI capabilities will help us to effectively deliver on our improvement plan.”

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, Visa UK and Ireland, said: “Visa has been harnessing the power of AI for decades. We see AI as a catalyst—not just for technology, but for talent. We’re excited to be investing in the next generation of leaders who can harness the power of AI and continue to help shape the future of payments.”

Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, has partnered with Multiverse to launch a new data and AI skills programme for its employees. The initiative aims to empower Swim England staff with the expertise needed to supercharge its mission of great experiences for all involved in aquatics and has been supported by an apprenticeship levy transfer from Amazon.

Beginning with an initial pilot, Swim England plans to enrol 30 apprentices onto Multiverse programmes over the next year. This investment in data and AI literacy will enable Swim England to better analyse participation trends, optimise programme delivery, and measure the impact of its initiatives.

Training programmes will include AI-Powered Productivity, AI for Business Value and Data and Insights for Business Decisions. The resulting data and AI skills will play a key role in Swim England’s digital transformation journey, empowering staff to make data-driven decisions, streamline processes, and reduce manual administrative tasks.

Training is being delivered by Multiverse, a tech company that identifies, closes and prevents skills gaps, through personalised, on-the-job learning. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016.

Maria Papadopoulos, People Director at Swim England said: “Data is crucial to understanding how we can best lead and serve our aquatics community and grow swimming participation. This partnership with Multiverse will equip our team with the skills to use data and AI effectively, ensuring we can make informed decisions and maximise our impact.”

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse,said: "By investing in skills, Swim England is empowering its employees to drive innovation and make a real difference in the health and engagement of communities across the country."

Multiverse combines work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone. It works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and technology.

The Academy includes staff from major areas of the Council, from public health to public transport, and children’s services to neighbourhood safety. Training will equip employees with practical, applied AI skills, enabling them to reduce manual work, enhance decision-making, and unlock innovation in their day-to-day roles. It aligns closely with the council’s strategic drivers, including boosting productivity, minimising external spend, and improving resident outcomes.

The programmes are being delivered by Multiverse, the upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption, which delivers personalised, on-the-job learning. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016, and has been a longstanding training partner for the Council.

Previous Nottingham City Council data learners have already improved individual efficiency in working with data by 21%, with the average learner projected to save more than one working month per year in improved productivity by end of programme.

The new cohort has enrolled on the 13-month AI for Business Value programme, a Level 4 apprenticeship. This will train staff to identify business value gains that can be achieved through using AI, as well as how to execute ethical AI projects for the benefit of local people. These new skills will help ensure more sustainable and effective public services.

Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council said: “This expanded Data and AI Academy allows us to combine data insights with AI capabilities, putting us in a strong position to deliver on our improvement plan. We’re striving to be a council that works more effectively and efficiently for the people of Nottingham, and the skills acquired through our partnership with Multiverse will help us to achieve this goal.”

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse said: “Building on nearly four years of Multiverse training, Nottingham City Council’s latest cohort is taking the next step in digital skills development: AI literacy. These are key credentials that will further empower the council to deliver tangible benefits to their residents, from community services to transportation, while enriching the careers of their teams.”

Multiverse combines work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone. It works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and tech, through a new kind of apprenticeship.

The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) have launched a Data Academy for a wide range of staff working across clinical, operational, administrative and data-focused roles. By increasing the operational efficiencies of both patient and non-patient facing staff, the Academy aims to improve patient experience and outcomes, boost employee job satisfaction and enable UHN to get more value from its digital investments.

Funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, the training is being delivered by Multiverse, the upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016, and works with 100 NHS trusts, empowering their employees to unlock innovation and improve patient care through its dedicated NHS Coaching team.

UHN’s new Data Academy will see staff with roles in theatres, pharmacy, quality and clinical coding enrol across four different programmes. Multiverse’s Level 3 Data & Insights for Business Decisions develops analytical and technical skills to use data to identify areas for improvement and enact change. The Level 4 Data Fellowship will help drive measurable impact by upskilling staff to harness tools like Power BI, while the Level 4 Business Transformation Fellowship will enable staff to develop digital solutions and support strategic change.

Multiverse will also deliver its three-year Level 4-6 programme Advanced Data Fellowship, an applied degree-equivalent course that builds on data capabilities and upskills staff in areas such as data infrastructure and machine learning.

Learners’ projects will contribute to real organisational initiatives such as reducing patient waiting times from referral to treatment, and improving theatre utilisation.

Jayne Chambers, Transformation Programme Manager and data apprentice at UHN, said: “Data skills have been transformational for me. Though I came to this programme later on in my career, I’ve found that the learning I’ve applied to my role has already been impactful in helping me create sense out of disparate data sources and truly drive change.”

William Monaghan, Group Chief Digital Information Officer at UHN said: “This academy has already proven itself to be the gateway to a far more data-enabled organisation. Our view has been those closest to the change are those who will always know best what needs to change. By equipping our colleagues with the skills to better interpret and use data, we’re not only making the care we deliver safer and more efficient but more importantly, ensuring our patients receive the excellent care they deserve.”

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse said: “Across the healthcare sector, we’re seeing that when staff are empowered to understand and act on data, it leads to smarter decision making, average time savings of 7.4 hours per week and greater opportunities for cost reduction and cost avoidance. It’s incredibly rewarding to support organisations like University Hospitals of Northamptonshire as they drive meaningful change through data that ultimately helps create better patient outcomes for all they serve.”

Multiverse combines work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone. It works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and tech, through a new kind of apprenticeship. Multiverse has delivered more than £10M+ in savings for NHS trusts through the application of new digital skills, helping to build an NHS workforce that’s fit for the future.

The initiative is a key part of BCP Council’s broader transformation efforts, supporting its ambition to modernise processes, boost efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for residents. Staff from across Operations and IT and Programmes teams are participating in the training, which is designed to upskill colleagues in areas like data analysis, automation, and AI adoption.

By investing in technical capability through applied learning, the council is developing a workforce that is better equipped to deliver data-informed services and make strategic decisions with confidence. As a result of this training, staff have already unlocked over 200 hours of time previously used for manual activities.

Sarah Chamberlain, Director of IT & Programmes at BCP Council, said: “This partnership is a vital part of our digital transformation strategy. Building internal capability in data and AI allows us to make faster, better-informed decisions and deliver more responsive services for our communities. We’re already seeing early signs of impact and are excited to expand this further in the months ahead.”

Training is being delivered by Multiverse, the upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption. The programmes are fully funded through the apprenticeship levy and delivered through a model that combines real-world projects with high-impact coaching.

Programmes include:

• Data Literacy (Level 3): Equipping staff with the foundational data skills to interpret, visualise, and apply data in daily decision-making
• Data Fellowship (Level 4): Upskilling colleagues into advanced analysts capable of building dashboards, automating workflows, and drawing insight from complex datasets
• AI Productivity & Leadership: A suite of AI-focused programmes helping staff deliver value using tools like Microsoft Copilot, and enabling leaders to scope and deliver AI-driven transformation

This partnership has already led to measurable improvements in service design, reporting, and digital innovation, with learners contributing to projects that increase efficiency and unlock time and cost savings across departments.

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse, said: “BCP Council is showing what’s possible when public sector organisations invest in future-ready skills. By training over 50 staff in data and AI, they’re not just improving how decisions are made — they’re building a modern, agile workforce that can continuously adapt and innovate to meet residents’ needs.”

Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices since 2016 and has worked with over 50 UK councils to close skills gaps in data, AI and digital transformation.

Multiverse has partnered with Fremantle to launch a new Data Academy for Fremantle employees ahead of new technology and processes being deployed over the summer. Training will enable team members to automate manual processes, optimise decision making, and use predictive analytics for improved content forecasting and audience engagement.

The Data Academy will enhance Fremantle's data and insights capabilities, enabling key departments across the company to better utilise and leverage their data.

Training is being delivered by Multiverse, an upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016.

The 35-strong cohort will complete Multiverse’s Data & Insights for Business Decisions, a Level 3 apprenticeship which builds the technical and analytical skills needed to turn data into actionable insights, through the effective use of digital tools like Power BI and Power Automate.

Paul Wood, Head of Global Insight, Fremantle said: “This Data Academy is more than a training programme, it’s a signal of Fremantle’s intent to empower our people with the tools they need to thrive in a data driven, AI enabled world. I knew this would be a powerful next step for us, and it’s been incredible to see how enthusiastically everyone taking part from across the business has embraced the opportunity. We’re building a culture where data fluency is part of our creative DNA, and this is just the beginning.”

Jo Dolman and Kate Temple, Co-Directors Global HR, Fremantle added: “At Fremantle, we’re committed to helping our people grow with the business. This partnership with Multiverse supports that ambition, giving our colleagues new digital skills and confidence with data that will enhance their day-to-day work. It’s a real step forward in building a future ready workforce.”

Multiverse combines work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone. It works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and tech, through a new kind of apprenticeship.

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse, said: “Fremantle has a long-standing reputation as a major player in the global media landscape. We’re proud to support the team as they harness the power of data to fuel their continued creativity and innovation.”

Fully funded by the apprenticeship levy, ecda’s new academy will train 70 team members on AI-specific skills. The goal of the programme is to strengthen public sector capabilities and foster further cooperation to deliver improved services for local people.

Training will be delivered by Multiverse, an upskilling platform for AI and tech adoption. Multiverse has trained more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data and digital skills since 2016.

Of the initial cohort, 40 team members will be enrolled onto AI for Business Value, a 13-month Level 4 apprenticeship which enables individuals to design ethical AI solutions that are grounded in the needs of the organisation. A further 30 will complete AI-Powered Productivity, a Level 3 programme, which helps teams to streamline internal workflows by using GenAI tools effectively in their daily tasks.

Nicola Mallett, Head of Profession Data, Analytics and Performance, at Essex County Council said: "We are committed to empowering our workforce with the AI skills needed to enable them to navigate the use of everyday AI to enhance productivity and identify transformative opportunities for local services. Through this apprenticeship programme, we will equip our staff with the knowledge to implement AI ethically and robustly, enabling them to work more efficiently and collaboratively, ultimately driving better outcomes for Essex communities."

Sarah Tattersall, Assistant Registrar at the University of Essex said: “Investing in AI upskilling, through the apprenticeship levy, is a great way for us to better understand the benefits AI can deliver and provide an additional way to develop our staff in cutting edge technologies. We are excited to see the impact this learning will have for the University, and how it improves the student experience over the coming months.”

Dan Fenwick, Executive Director - Corporate Services at Thurrock Council said: “We’re always looking for ways to enhance our capabilities and deliver the best outcomes for Thurrock residents. The academy will help our teams to use technology to respond to residents’ needs more efficiently and effectively.”

Multiverse combines work and learning to unlock economic opportunity for everyone. It works with more than 1,500 organisations to close critical skill gaps in the workforce in AI, data and tech, through a new kind of apprenticeship.

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse said: “The ecda is a brilliant example of how collaboration between public sector organisations can strengthen capabilities and deliver meaningful benefits for local communities. By developing AI skills across both the university and council teams, we’re ultimately improving the efficiency and quality of services delivered to residents and businesses alike. They're setting a great example other local authorities could follow and see similar benefits from.”