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.
Building an AI Skills Centre of Excellence
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.
Supporting skills, growth and opportunity
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:
- support students to develop skills valued by employers.
- help staff enhance teaching, research, and ways of working.
- create opportunities for wider communities, including businesses and the public sector.
- support equitable access to AI skills and opportunities across our community.
Contributing to the AI Growth Zone
The partnership builds on our wider role in supporting the
