Google opens AI Campus in London

Google has launched its first AI Campus in London, aiming to train local students in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The campus, located in Somers Town, Camden, was inaugurated by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday.

The two-year pilot program, developed in partnership with Camden Council and Camden Learning, has enrolled 32 students aged 16 to 18 in its inaugural class. Participants will gain access to advanced AI tools, mentorship from Google DeepMind, and real-world projects linking AI to fields like health, social sciences, and the arts, according to an official announcement by Debbie Weinstein, Vice President of Google and Managing Director of Google UK & Ireland.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the initiative, calling it a "seismic moment" for the UK. "This campus offers a chance for students, many from challenging circumstances, to see themselves as part of the AI-driven future," he said during the launch, as per a report by Reuters.

In addition to the London campus, Google announced a £865,000 grant through Google.org to expand AI literacy across the UK. The funding will support the England-based charity Raspberry Pi Foundation and the UK-based social organisation Parent Zone in training teachers and delivering AI education. This initiative, named 'Experience AI', aims to reach over 250,000 students by 2026, according to Google.