Durham University has announced an exciting partnership with Microsoft to help shape the future of AI skills, education, and opportunity. The collaboration was announced at London Tech Week 2026 by Darren Hardman, Corporate Vice President & CEO, Microsoft UK and Ireland, as part of wider discussions on how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of work across the UK.
At the heart of this work are plans to establish an AI Skills Centre of Excellence at Durham - the first of its kind - creating new opportunities for staff, students, graduates, businesses, and the wider public sector.
The Centre will bring together expertise, tools, and support to help people build confidence using AI in a way that is practical, responsible, inclusive and relevant to real-world challenges, supporting broad access across our university community.
As a nationally leading university recognised for the employability of its graduates, this work will ensure our students are equipped with the skills and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly changing workplace.
The focus is not just on technology, but on people - supporting staff and students to develop skills and engage with AI in ways that are accessible, inclusive, and relevant to their work and studies.
Through the Centre of Excellence, we will explore how to:
The partnership builds on our wider role in supporting the North East AI Growth Zone, working in partnership with organisations including Durham County Council and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, to strengthen skills, opportunity, and growth across the region.
Through the AI Skills Centre of Excellence, we will contribute to these ambitions by helping to develop talent, support businesses and public sector organisations, and ensure the benefits of AI are shared more widely.
This work represents a coordinated, University-wide approach to AI - bringing together expertise, learning, and practical application in a structured and supported way.
By working with Microsoft, Durham will also contribute to broader efforts to support AI capability and skills development across the UK, helping shape how AI is understood and applied in education, research, and beyond, while supporting inclusive access to these opportunities.
This announcement marks the start of a longer-term programme of activity. Further detail will be shared as plans for the AI Skills Centre of Excellence develop, alongside opportunities for staff, students, and partners to engage and contribute.
/filters:quality(70)/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)