Notice

Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Cisco on AI opportunities

Published 8 June 2026

This Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding Agreement (“MoU”) is agreed by:

1. Cisco International Ltd having its registered office at 9-11 New Square, Bedfont Lakes, Feltham, Middlesex TW14 8HA (“Cisco”); and

2. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, a UK Government Department, 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ (“DSIT”).

Time period: The MoU takes effect from the date of the last signature and will remain active for 48 months.

Section 1: Purpose and Vision

This Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) details areas of collaboration between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Cisco to support objectives in the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.

The new strategic relationship is intended to leverage Cisco’s technology, expertise, and skills programmes with the aim of helping to deliver on UK Government priorities to generate economic growth, better public services, and high-quality employment opportunities across the country (“Strategic Collaboration”).

The Strategic Collaboration is intended to include, but not be limited to, Cisco supporting the Government’s ‘Tech Towns’ initiative, which has the objective to upskill 10m UK citizens in AI, and the TechFirst programme.

The initial phase of the Strategic Collaboration is for Cisco to assist in establishing Barnsley as the UK’s first ‘Tech Town’ alongside DSIT. The Barnsley “Tech Town” initiative aims to drive regional economic growth and enhance public services, including directly addressing the systemic health inequalities identified in the Barnsley Director of Public Health Report 2024.

By leveraging AI and advanced digital infrastructure, the parties are seeking to create conditions where technology fosters social mobility and public service excellence.

Section 2: The Strategic Collaboration on ‘Tech Towns’ to support locally driven economic growth and better public service delivery

2.1 Establishing Barnsley as the first ‘Tech Town’

Cisco and DSIT wish to engage with local authorities in Barnsley with the aim of identifying work programmes that can leverage AI capabilities to support quantifiable indicators of progress for the local economy and citizens. The intention is to utilise Cisco technology and skills courses, through raising awareness and providing opportunities for Barnsley residents and organisations. An initial phase of work is intended to take place over 18 months. Upon review of activities in Barnsley, DSIT and Cisco plan to consider future place-based initiatives elsewhere.

2.2. Delivering digital skills programmes

DSIT and Cisco acknowledge that helping local citizens and the workforce to be digitally literate is vital for economic growth and digital inclusion. Cisco Networking Academy is intended to be utilised to complement other aspects of the Tech Towns collaboration, including offering courses to public sector workers such as at Barnsley Hospital. These courses may include AI literacy, cybersecurity, and networking.

Cisco intends to make the Networking Academy available for Barnsley residents looking to upskill, supporting the local labour market to be ready for new jobs brought about by incoming tech start-ups, SMEs, and public sector organisations, in line with Barnsley Council’s “Learning Barnsley” initiative.

2.3. Leveraging AI for more efficient and accessible public services

Cisco seeks to work with DSIT and local authorities to explore the viability of pilots to improve public services for local citizens. The initial programme is envisioned as AI in healthcare. Cisco aims to explore the establishment of a “Living Lab” within Barnsley through the Lister Alliance. Core priorities are directed toward using AI to improve the management of outpatient appointments and deliver virtual care solutions. The Strategic Collaboration is designed to provide an open ecosystem where:

• Public sector employees (including Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust staff) may test emerging technologies.
• Academic institutions and industry partners, including UK start-ups/scale-ups, can co-produce solutions in real-life scenarios.
• The “fail fast” methodology is proposed to support rapid iteration and proven impact before large-scale deployment.
• Learnings are expected to be shared with other NHS Trusts.

2.4 Youth enrichment

Under the Tech Town pilot, Cisco, DSIT, and Barnsley Council aim to collaborate to support the wider youth enrichment offer in Barnsley, including considering opportunities beyond the formal education system that help young people develop digital skills, awareness of AI, and pathways into future employment.

Section 3: Supporting the nationwide ambition to upskill 10 million citizens in AI

• The Prime Minister set out a goal in June 2025 to enable 7.5 (seven and a half) million workers by 2030 to access free, foundational AI courses via the AI Skills Hub delivered with and through industry and public sector partners; this commitment was expanded to 10 million workers in January 2026. Courses are expected to be provided by industry and tailored to a wide range of learner needs, including foundational AI skills and those suited to a wide range of work contexts.
• Through this initiative, workers are encouraged to thrive in an AI-enabled economy and ensure UK businesses – large and small – capture the productivity and growth potential that AI offers them.
• Cisco has joined the initiative as a “Strategic Contributor”, complementing Cisco’s ambition to train 1 million UK citizens through the Cisco Networking Academy since inception by 2030.

Section 4: Helping young people prepare for an AI-enabled workforce

4.1 Cisco supporting the TechFirst Generation

The Prime Minister has set out a goal through the TechFirst programme to give 1 (one) million students in secondary school a chance to learn and develop their skills in tech and AI, as well as supporting over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators to have real life access and application of skills and products.

Through the TechFirst programme, the Yorkshire and Humber youth delivery partner seeks to work with Cisco, as a TechFirst industry partner, to support the integration of relevant Cisco education offerings within Barnsley schools under the Tech Town pilot, aligned to the priorities of Barnsley Council.

4.2 Student Work Placements, access to research opportunities and youth inspiration

TechFirst: Youth Inspiration

Cisco aims to support the UK’s digital talent pipeline by encouraging staff to contribute up to 8,000 hours of volunteer time over the next four years. Through various initiatives, Cisco hopes to engage with approximately 9,000 students to help inspire the next generation of tech talent. Cisco plans to support these efforts through the provision of necessary internal resources and programme management.

Through the Discover Tech work experience programme Cisco aims to lead organisations in the tech industry to offer work experience opportunities to students aged 16-18.  Over the next 4 years the plan is to reach 7,000 students in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Locations can be reviewed on an annual basis in line with acknowledged UK tech work experience ‘cold spots’. This 7,000 student target is a collective ambition, to be achieved through Cisco’s leadership and the active participation of other industry partners, supported by DSIT’s facilitation. DSIT intends to actively support Cisco in engaging and recruiting additional industry partners to contribute to this programme.

In addition, Cisco Pathways is intended to deliver work experience placements for 150 Year 12 and Year 13 students who identify as female or non-binary each October in a dedicated four-day programme, and a further 150 work experience placements for Year 11 and Year 12 students in a five-day programme each July.

TechFirst Student Work Placements and Access to Research Opportunities

Cisco plans to provide at least 60 work placements over the next four years for Undergraduate and Master’s students.

In addition, Cisco envisions providing over 200 T Level placements through direct provision and supply chain engagement.

To support domestic research and innovation, Cisco plans to offer research opportunities where appropriate to PhD candidates within the TechFirst programme. The determination of ‘where appropriate’ will be made jointly by Cisco and DSIT liaison officers, considering Strategic Collaboration alignment and resource availability.

Placements are envisioned to relate to the six frontier industries under the Digital & Technology Sector Plan, as part of the Industrial Strategy. Placements aim to provide practical and hands-on experience. In addition, they are designed to expose candidates to the commercial and R&D side of the field, to help build future entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as practitioners and researchers.

4.3 Access to Technology and Resources

Cisco plans to provide support for academic research and innovation, subject to appropriate data governance and privacy protocols. The specific scope and nature of this support is intended to be mutually agreed upon annually by the appointed liaison officers, based on identified priorities and available resources. Cisco intends to ensure that any data shared or technology provided will adhere to the highest standards of data governance, privacy, and security protocols, as mutually agreed upon in separate binding agreements.

Equip learners from all backgrounds to gain foundational digital skills and explore tech careers, in line with Cisco’s goal to reach 1 million learners in the United Kingdom by 2030.

Access to existing educational and learning resources through the Cisco Networking Academy platform that would benefit and align with the ambitions of the TechFirst programme, providing a rich source of knowledge for students to benefit from.

Support for academic institutions interested in becoming a Cisco Academy to leverage the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum and platform, at no cost.

DSIT, through its delivery partners, seeks to facilitate coordination with academic institutions to ensure effective use and impact of resources provided. This facilitation is expected to include, but not be limited to, proactively identifying suitable academic partners, promoting Cisco’s offerings within the academic community, managing communication channels, assisting in the matching of students to placement opportunities, and facilitating logistical arrangements for resource deployment.

4.4 Showcase Talent and Networking Support

DSIT and Cisco intend to collaborate to organise or participate in annual events that showcase the achievements of students involved in the placement programme. These events are intended to provide opportunities for students to present their work, engage with industry professionals, and explore career pathways. Networking sessions, panel discussions, and exhibitions will be included to foster connections between academia and industry, and to promote innovation and talent development.

Section 5: Governance

Progress against section 2 of this MoU will be reviewed quarterly by a joint steering committee comprising representatives from Cisco, DSIT, and the Barnsley Council, reporting to the Tech Town Advisory Board. This initiative will support Barnsley Council’s Barnsley 2030 goals, including “Healthy Barnsley” and “Growing Barnsley.”

Progress against section 3 of this MoU will be in line with wider governance commitments as part of the Government initiative with other industry partners.

Progress against section 4 of this MoU will be overseen by a newly established group to oversee implementation of the Strategic Collaboration, review progress, and mutually agree to adjust scope as needed, with any significant adjustments requiring formal approval from both DSIT and Cisco liaison officers and a reassessment of resource implications. The established group will regularly review the effectiveness of coordination with academic institutions and delivery partners, ensuring optimal utilisation and impact of resources provided by both parties. The established group will also be responsible for developing joint progress reports and public communications to highlight achievements and maintain transparency regarding the partnership’s impact. DSIT and Cisco will each appoint a liaison officer to coordinate activities.

DSIT and Cisco intend to explore these shared priorities, with details - including resource commitments and timelines - to be finalised through ongoing collaboration and as mutually agreed upon separate agreements. The activities described above are voluntary, not legally binding, and without prejudice to any future procurement decisions or signed agreements.

Accordingly, neither Party shall be entitled to damages if the other decides not to proceed with any aspect of the proposed Strategic Collaboration.

Accepted and agreed by:

Cisco International Limited

Sarah Walker, UK and Ireland Chief Executive

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Kanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety