UK Gears Up for AI Revolution with Driverless Taxis, Increased Investment, and Workforce Training
The United Kingdom is poised for a significant shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, with advancements ranging from transportation to workforce development. Driverless taxis are slated to launch in London as early as September, while the government is rolling out free AI training courses for adults, according to BBC Technology reports.
Waymo, the US-based driverless car firm owned by Google's parent company, announced its intention to launch a robotaxi service in London as soon as September. A pilot service is planned for April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated, "We're supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads." The UK government plans to change regulations in the second half of 2026 to fully enable driverless taxis.
Simultaneously, the government is launching a nationwide initiative to equip its workforce with AI skills. The free online courses aim to teach individuals how to effectively use AI tools, such as chatbots, for administrative tasks. The goal is to reach 10 million workers by 2030, in what the government calls "the most ambitious training scheme since the launch of the Open University in 1971," according to BBC Technology. However, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) cautioned that workers will need more than basic chatbot prompting skills to adapt to the growing influence of AI. "Skills for the age of AI can't be just about how to prompt a chatbot," the IPPR stated.
The push for AI integration comes as other tech giants are also increasing their investments in the field. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, plans to nearly double its AI spending this year, allocating up to £97 billion, according to BBC Technology. This is a significant increase from the £72 billion Meta spent on AI projects and infrastructure last year. Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg said he is expecting "2026 to be the year that AI dramatically changes the way" the company operates.
These developments occur amidst shifts in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with Tesla experiencing a decline in revenue as it pivots towards AI and robotics. Tesla's annual revenue fell for the first time, with a 3% decrease, and profits dropped 61% in the last three months of 2025, according to BBC Technology. The company plans to end production of its Model S and Model X vehicles and repurpose its California plant to produce humanoid robots known as Optimus. In January, China's BYD surpassed Tesla as the world's largest EV maker.
Meanwhile, unrelated to the AI boom, households in England and Wales are facing another increase in water bills. The average annual bill will rise by £33 to £639, prompting calls for a "stronger safety net" for those unable to pay, according to BBC Business. The industry trade body, Water UK, said bill increases were needed to fund vital upgrades to the system and tackle spillages.
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