The Department for Education has invested £8.2 million in funding to encourage girls to study advanced maths and related subjects to drive progression into AI careers.

The funding, under the government’s Plan for Change, will support 7,500 girls from 400 disadvantaged secondary schools through improved participation and teaching of advanced maths to equip them with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.

Girls currently represent one-third of A-level maths students, while women make up just 22 per cent of the AI workforce in areas such as software engineering and data science.

Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group, commented: “AI is creating new possibilities for the workforce, opening up new roles in areas such as software engineering and data & analytics, so it’s great to see the government investing in foundational skills in this area. 

There must be a collective effort to encourage more women into the tech industry, breaking down stereotypes and providing top-rate education from an early age to lay out the pathway into the sector’s most exciting roles.”

She added: “AI has the potential to bridge the gender gap in technology, levelling the playing field as it requires new skills to harness its potential within businesses. Investment in equal training opportunities with this in mind is an important step to close the divide, building up a cohort of inspiring female AI experts that can play a pivotal role in the UK’s technology future.”

It forms part of the updated Advanced Maths Support Programme, including pilot teacher training and student enrichment courses to help develop the skills needed by students and teachers, starting from September.

The investment addresses a key commitment from the government’s AI Action Plan, helping to create a strong AI talent pipeline and foster greater diversity across the AI sector.

As part of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government is continuing to review the requirements of the 5-18 education system to improve digital education and provide the necessary AI skills in keeping with developments in the digital world.

Education Minister 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.”