Databricks Commits US$10m to Train 100,000 in UK and Ireland

Databricks has announced plans at its Data + AI World Tour event in London to train 100,000 people in data and AI across the UK and Ireland by 2028, backed by an investment exceeding US$10m in its Free Edition programme.

The investment will provide students, hobbyists and professionals with access to the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform at no cost, which includes self-paced training materials and tools designed to address the shortage of AI talent in the technology sector.

World Economic Forum data indicates that 40% of workers’ existing skill sets will become outdated within the next five years, with AI representing one of the fastest-growing areas of demand in the current workforce. The training initiative covers generative AI, data engineering, machine learning and analytics through both in-person sessions and online courses.

Databricks partners with UK government on public sector training

The company has joined the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Get Tech Certified this Autumn programme, which delivers training in AI and machine learning to public sector employees. The three-month initiative supports the government’s Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government, which includes a target for one in 10 civil servants to work in digital or technology roles within five years.

“Businesses are reaching a key moment in growing their use of AI,” says Samuel Bonamigo, SVP and GM for EMEA at Databricks. “By pairing advanced training with the power of Agent Bricks, we're helping local enterprises quickly and safely scale trusted AI apps and agents.”

Databricks University Alliance Programme expands across 40 institutions

Through its University Alliance Programme, Databricks has also established partnerships with more than 40 universities across the UK and Ireland. Institutions including the London School of Economics, University College Dublin, University of Salford and University of Sheffield have integrated the platform into their curricula.

Dr Marcos Barreto, Associate Professor of Data Science and Lead on AI for the Department of Statistics at the London School of Economics, says: “Providing our data science students with the latest data and AI skills is something we take great pride in. By being part of the Databricks University Alliance programme, our students can learn the latest in big data programming and analytics, which is essential to flourish in the fast-paced AI sector.”

Nathan Topping, Lecturer in Data Science at the University of Salford, says: “Our MSc Data Science programme, underpinned by Databricks, provides students with the cutting-edge expertise they need to thrive in the future of work.”

The training programmes will focus on preparing students for roles in data engineering, machine learning development and analytics. The curriculum covers the use of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and includes modules on Agent Bricks, the company’s product for deploying AI agents in production environments.

Databricks serves over 50% of FTSE 100 from London hub

Databricks currently works with more than 50% of companies in the FTSE 100 Index, including Barclays, Reckitt and Shell. In Ireland, clients include Aer Lingus. Other UK businesses using the platform include Flo Health and Virgin Atlantic, which have deployed AI applications built on their enterprise data.

The company employs more than 500 people in the UK and Ireland, operating from its central London hub, which opened in 2024.

“We are proud to be at the heart of the UK and Ireland’s data and AI ecosystem,” says Michael Green, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Databricks. “Our growing team is helping students, customers and partners to keep up with the fast-changing AI landscape. The right data and AI skills are essential in enabling UK and Irish businesses to scale AI agents and remain competitive on a global stage.”

Databricks operates globally with more than 20,000 organisations using its platform, including Block, Comcast, Condé Nast and Rivian. Over 60% of Fortune 500 companies use the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by the creators of technologies including Apache Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow and Unity Catalog.

Samuel says: “Businesses are reaching a key moment in growing their use of AI. By pairing advanced training with the power of Agent Bricks, we’re helping local enterprises quickly and safely scale trusted AI apps and agents.”