"In 2002 Barnsley toyed with a redesign as a Tuscan hill village as it sought out a brighter post-industrial future. In 2021 it adopted the airily vague slogan the place of possibilities. Now it is trying a different image: Britain's first tech town. The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, has anointed the South Yorkshire community as a trailblazer for how AI can improve everyday life in the UK."
"But local opposition leaders have warned rebranding Barnsley as a tech town might seem a bit of a leap and highlighted local anxiety about whether AI is a force for good. The tech town status means residents will get free AI and digital training, businesses will be supported to adopt AI, the hospital will test AI tools for check-ins, triage and outpatient care and AI will be tested in schools and at Barnsley College, all in an effort to improve pupils' results and teachers' workloads."
Barnsley previously experimented with a Tuscan hill village redesign in 2002 and adopted the slogan 'the place of possibilities' in 2021. Barnsley has been designated as Britain's first tech town to pilot AI-driven improvements across daily life. The UK government secured assistance from Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Adobe to support AI adoption locally. Initiatives include AI in schools, Barnsley College, hospitals for check-ins, triage and outpatient care, GP services and business support. The council already uses AI assistants in adult social care and children's services, and bin lorries scan roads for potholes. Evri has trialled robot dogs for deliveries. Residents will receive free AI and digital training. The area seeks economic revival after job losses following coal pit closures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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