West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has unveiled an ambitious plan to position the region at the forefront of the UK’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, aiming to reshape the way people work, learn, live, and grow. The initiative, named West Midlands Artificial Intelligence Missions (WM AIM), was officially launched during Birmingham Tech Week, the UK’s largest regional technology festival, which this year focused on AI as a key driver of growth and innovation.
Speaking at the launch event alongside Dan Cartter, SCC’s director of innovation, and AI consultants Rose Palacios and Callum Woodford, Mayor Parker set out his vision for the region: “I want the West Midlands to become the top global destination for AI, and the AIM is our opportunity to kickstart conversations and create an ecosystem in which this sector can thrive. I’m asking businesses, entrepreneurs, educators, and research companies what they need to come and operate in the region, and I will respond to that by providing the skills, space, speed, and support they require. The benefits of AI development should reach everyone. This is about making sure no one is left behind and that every community benefits from our AI and tech-driven future.”
WM AIM is designed to ‘jumpstart’ AI development across the region and is closely aligned with the West Midlands Digital Roadmap and the Mayor’s Growth Plan. The initiative has three core objectives. First, it aims to position the West Midlands as an AI ‘testbed,’ enabling new AI solutions to be trialed quickly across sectors including health, transport, social care, and advanced manufacturing. Second, it seeks to boost business productivity through widespread AI adoption, supported by a dedicated regional knowledge hub to help companies understand and implement AI effectively. Third, the program focuses on workforce development, striving to build the UK’s most inclusive AI-ready workforce by equipping residents with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
As part of this push, Mayor Parker announced a £10 million investment to establish an AI Academy and committed to providing free, practical AI training for every resident. These measures aim to upskill unemployed individuals and prepare the population to participate in fast-growing industries, in line with the Mayor’s Growth Plan, which targets the creation of 100,000 high-quality jobs in digital and AI sectors.
The West Midlands already boasts a £77 billion economy and one of the fastest-growing tech sectors outside London, employing 144,000 people across 2,400 companies. With world-class universities and a young, diverse population—including 1.5 million residents under the age of 25—the region is well-positioned to become a hub for AI innovation. The initiative also seeks to attract tech-led industries to the West Midlands, complementing the more than 300 AI firms already operating in the area. Notably, Atos, a leading provider of AI-powered digital transformation, recently announced a flagship AI development hub in Solihull, a move highlighted by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham.
Jo Birch, chair of the AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG), praised the initiative, saying: “In a fast-moving world shaped by technological change, collaboration is the engine of progress. I’m proud of the AI SIG’s role in shaping WM AIM, bringing sharp insight, challenge, and strategic thinking to the table, and delighted to support and endorse its contents. Implementation will demand the same spirit of partnership, and it’s inspiring to see our community step forward with such strength and clarity.”
By combining investment, skills development, and collaboration across business, education, and research, WM AIM seeks to create an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive. Mayor Parker’s vision positions the West Midlands not only as a national leader in AI but also as a model for how regions can harness technology to drive economic growth, social impact, and opportunity for all.
