In a youth center across from Preston bus station, the UK government is tackling two major economic challenges: the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and youth unemployment. The goal is to use AI as a solution to the job crisis, rather than a cause. At the recently opened Vault, a community hub in the city of Preston, a special training program called an “AI bootcamp” is underway. This trial is part of a larger initiative in the north-west of England aimed at helping 16- to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment, or training—often referred to as “Neet”—gain skills in AI. The bootcamp is designed to teach participants how to build AI tools, understand how businesses use AI, and use the technology responsibly. The program is open to 70 people, and it lasts three weeks. Partners like JD Sports, Heinz, and Agilysys are offering apprenticeships in AI-related fields, such as AI marketing and IT helpdesk roles. If a participant secures one of these apprenticeships, they will join an organization that needs these new skills. “This is an opportunity to bridge a gap, to improve productivity and bring AI into organisations,” says Lauren Monks, an executive involved in running the program. Youth unemployment is a growing concern in the UK, with nearly a million young people classified as Neet. AI’s impact on the job market is a topic of debate—some see it as a threat, others as a chance for new opportunities. For 18-year-old Khudeija Rafique, who is attending the course, AI could be a useful tool in her future career. “It would be really helpful with whatever job I would like to go into,” she says. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Remy Simms, who is interested in a content creator apprenticeship, says the course has changed his view on AI. “It shows that you can work with AI and you don’t have to work against it,” he adds. Experts are cautious about the long-term impact of AI on non-graduates and school leavers, as much of the focus has been on the graduate job market. Dr. Bouke Klein Teeselink, a researcher at King’s College London, notes that the effects of AI on non-graduate jobs are not yet fully understood. However, he believes this program could provide insights into how to help more young people enter the labor market. The success of the bootcamp and the apprenticeships that follow will depend on how effective the AI training is and whether these new workers can contribute meaningfully to their employers. While some argue that AI is not the main cause of the Neet crisis, others stress the need for more apprenticeships and better guidance for young people not heading to university. “Teaching young people to use AI is part of how we prepare them for the future,” says Chris Goulden of the Youth Futures Organisation. For now, the participants in Preston are hopeful. Hamid Muhammad-Asif, a 16-year-old from Blackburn, says he is ready for the next step, whether it's a content creator or IT helpdesk apprenticeship. “I’m happy with both,” he says.