Around 7,500 girls from secondary schools in disadvantaged areas will be prioritised for new government support aimed at helping them to study maths and progress into artificial intelligence-related careers.
Ministers have announced an £8.2 million investment through the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme that will target 400 secondary schools.
Currently only a third of A-level maths students are girls, while just 22 per cent of people working in AI-related jobs are women, according to the government.
Getting more girls to take maths A level
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Today’s brightest maths minds are tomorrow’s AI pioneers, and this government is opening the door for groups who have so far been left behind in the AI revolution.
“Through our plan for change we are breaking down barriers to opportunity, backing our young people and going further and faster for AI growth, ensuring the next generation can progress in the exciting careers of the future.”
The plan includes student enrichment courses and pilot teacher training programmes that are expected to benefit 450 students and 360 teachers from September.
Ms Phillipson is also forming a group of experts to advise on the changes that are required in the education system to help pupils aged 5 to 18 gain the necessary digital education and AI-specific skills.
The Digital, AI and Technology Task and Finish Group, launched in March and chaired by Sir Kevan Collins, a non-executive member of the Department for Education board and former chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, will provide recommendations to the DfE and insights for the government’s review of curriculum and assessment.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle said that the potential of AI can only be harnessed in the UK “if we have a pipeline of talent” equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.
He added: “This is the first step in our plan to give every young person in the country the opportunity to develop the tools which will put them front and centre in delivering our AI-powered future.”
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