New research from Amazon reveals a need to boost the STEM skills gap in schools in the East Midlands to help meet future demand for jobs in computer science and AI.
The research, which quizzed secondary school teachers in the East Midlands, is released as it’s also revealed that teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in secondary schools could help to fill increasing demand for computer science and AI related roles, supporting on average £71 billion of economic output annually to 2030 in the UK economy, according to a report published by Amazon and Capital Economics.
The need to boost AI learning in schools in the East Midlands is supported by new YouGov research –commissioned by Amazon – among secondary school teachers and parents. The research shows:
- 63% 107 of secondary school teachers surveyed in the East Midlands agree that AI should be part of their school’s syllabus, while 82% 43 of teachers in the East Midlands surveyed believe access to free AI and computer science learning resources linked with the curriculum would help students better engage in computer science.
- Among teachers surveyed in the East Midlands, almost two thirds (62%) 61 have limited access to computer science resources, rising to three quarters (76%) 70 when focused exclusively on AI.
- While two thirds (67%) 125 of secondary school teachers surveyed in the East Midlands believe that education in computer science better prepares students for future careers in all sectors, less than one in three (31%) 152 say AI learning is only part of an opt-in or extra paid-for club and not part of the syllabus.
- Two thirds (66%) 198 of secondary school teachers surveyed in the East Midlands say children don’t have enough information to understand future career opportunities that involve computer science and AI.
- Three quarters (74%) 92 of secondary school teachers surveyed in the East Midlands who think schools should be making an active effort to increase education and resources around AI and CS, say that without increased STEM education and resources, there will be long-term skill gaps
The research comes as Amazon launches the inaugural Alexa Young Innovator Challenge in the East Midlands, an educational programme for secondary school pupils to create an Alexa Skill to promote social good in their community. Designed to inspire young people about the potential of AI, teachers and educators will be able to access free curriculum-linked lesson plans and materials to engage students, while supporting the development of AI learning in classrooms. By taking part, schools will have the chance to win prizes, including £2,500 worth of tech products for the winner and a £2,500 donation to their school. The 20 runners up will also receive an Amazon gift card to the value of £250, redeemable on Amazon.co.uk and £500 will be donated to their school.
Amazon’s research also estimates that demand for jobs that require computer science, AI or machine learning skills in the UK are expected to increase by 40% over the next five years.
In addition, research that looked at the potential future use of AI by UK businesses estimates that expenditure on AI-related labour could increase from £46 billion in 2020 to between £80 billion and £103 billion by 2025. In order to have enough AI talent in the UK workforce to fill computer science jobs by 2030, students will need to experience some form of AI-based learning during secondary school. An insufficient supply of skilled labour is one of the reasons why UK businesses are slow to adopt AI, with just 15% of UK businesses having currently adopted the technology.
“AI is the world’s fastest growing technology and the UK is striving to be among the world’s leaders in this field, with 56% of businesses planning to increase investment in AI technologies within the next three years,” said Lauren Kisser, Technology Director at Amazon and UK Ambassador for Amazon Future Engineer. “Through the Alexa Young Innovator Challenge, we hope to not only build confidence in students’ ability to understand and control this incredible technology but also inspire young minds, regardless of their background, to realise their potential as creators, thinkers and builders of the future; using AI to create innovative solutions to real world problems.”
Amazon announces the Alexa Young Innovator Challenge as it reveals ten innovative AI and computer science jobs that could be available to young people in the future. Compiled in partnership with futurologist Dr. Ian Pearson, the careers range from metaverse architect to paramedic drone programmer, AI sports coach and environment protection agent. The jobs highlight the ways that AI and computer science could be used to tackle societal issues, including sustainability – insight that is particularly relevant to the one in five (22%) secondary school children who felt AI could be used to speed up problem solving around climate change.
