Salesforce Pledges Free Slack Enterprise Access to Millions of Higher and Further Education Students in the UK

The initiative, part of Salesforce's $6 billion investment in the UK, gives students hands-on experience of AI-powered collaboration, preparing them for the modern workplace.

LONDON - 15 October - Salesforce today announced a global-first initiative to provide free Slack Enterprise access to millions of higher and further education students in the UK. Aimed at closing the UK's digital skills gap, the pledge gives students a single place to learn, connect, and build real AI skills-right where their everyday conversations happen. At the same time, it helps institutions prepare future graduates with the same platform used by leading businesses across the UK and worldwide.

In the UK today, 61% of workers receive no AI training; this initiative builds digital fluency, directly boosting graduate employability at a time when 1 million young people in the UK are classified as NEET - not in education, employment or training.

Participating colleges and universities will use Slack to unlock new opportunities and AI-powered experiences that will boost learning and collaboration across campuses, for example connecting tutors and peers, streamlining campus services, or building active communities for distance learners.

The announcement marks a key milestone in Salesforce's $6 billion commitment to its UK business through 2030, following the opening of its expanded London AI Campus, and builds on the company's broader work to develop AI skills across the UK.

We are giving young people hands-on experience with the exact technology and operating system used by organisations across the UK. Ultimately, this creates a stronger talent pipeline for UK employers and ensures that the benefits of technology can be felt across every postcode.

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, President & CEO, Salesforce UK & Ireland

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, President & CEO, Salesforce UK & Ireland said:

"Young people will define the next decade of UK business, and it's imperative that students across all disciplines are able to learn to use AI responsibly. By bringing Slack and AI-powered tools like Slackbot directly into further and higher education, we are giving young people hands-on experience with the exact technology and operating system used by organisations across the UK. Ultimately, this creates a stronger talent pipeline for UK employers and ensures that the benefits of technology can be felt across every postcode."

Built on trusted enterprise technology

As the AI-powered work operating system used by more than 200,000 organisations and millions of people around the world, Slack provides a secure, centralised workspace where teams, workflows, and AI tools connect.

By integrating AI into everyday conversations, Slack gives students an easy way to build practical AI skills. Included with Slack Enterprise, Slackbot delivers instant, plain-language answers using accessible workspace files and discussions. Universities can also introduce AI agents directly into channels to handle student services queries, coordinate study groups, and assist academic research teams.

Every institution retains full administrative control. Colleges and universities can set customised permissions and guardrails based on their needs. Student data remains strictly protected, compliant with UK data regulations, and is never used to train external AI models.

Giving higher and further education institutions access to Slack and tools like Slackbot enables students to build the practical collaboration and digital skills employers are looking for.

Professor Ashley Braganza, Chair in Business Transformation and Director of the Centre for AI: Social and Digital Innovation, Brunel University of London

"Students need to translate theory into hands-on experience, that reflects the changes AI is driving, in the ways organisations work. Giving higher and further education institutions access to Slack and tools like Slackbot enables students to build the practical collaboration and digital skills employers are looking for. For universities, embedding enterprise-grade technology directly into everyday learning provides a secure, trusted platform to modernise campus collaboration and align curricula with fast-moving industry needs, ensuring students leave as confident, job-ready graduates who can lead and add value from day one." - Professor Ashley Braganza, Chair in Business Transformation and Director of the Centre for AI: Social and Digital Innovation, Brunel University of London

Salesforce commitment to AI skills

Salesforce UK is committed to developing AI skills across the country and supporting UK organisations to prepare their workforce with the skills and confidence they need to drive business impact in the agentic era.

In May, Salesforce opened its expanded London Campus, connecting the new AI Centre at Devonshire Square with Salesforce Tower to offer immersive AI experiences to customers, partners and communities. The Campus has since welcomed schools whose students took part in AI skills workshops.

Salesforce's Future Trailblazers initiative, an employee-led programme delivering AI literacy education to students across the UK and Ireland, has trained 14,500 students since launching earlier this year and is contributing to the UK Government's goal of upskilling 10 million workers by 2030.

Learn more:

• Colleges and universities interested in participating can find out more here
• Learn more about Salesforce's Future Trailblazers initiative
• Read about Salesforce's £6bn five-year commitment to the UK and expanded London AI Campus
• Read why Salesforce UKI's CEO on why investment in AI and skills is critical to realising the UK's growth ambitions
• Read more AIforce World Tour London news