Debenhams Group has launched a new AI Skills Academy, which aims to equip employees with practical AI skills, boosting growth across its brands by closing the AI skills gap.

Rolled out in partnership with workforce development platform, Multiverse, the programme offers employees structured, on-the-job learning, giving them the technical skills needed to effectively use AI in their daily work.

This will include leveraging the technology to boost productivity, streamlining operations and using AI to reduce manual tasks, freeing up time for higher-value activities. Debenhams also aims to empower its teams to build more AI systems in-house, accelerating digital transformation and reducing reliance on external, third-party providers.

“Adopting AI is not just about investing in our systems – it’s about investing in our people,” said Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group.

This is just the latest adoption of AI by Debenhams Group, having inked a multi-year agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate AI adoption last month. The extended AWS partnership aims to bolster growth across Debenham’s brand portfolio, focusing on AI-powered personalisation, search & discovery and product recommendations.

In June, the fashion retailer also announced it would work with Peak to implement AI pricing and promotions, enabling real-time, automated pricing for thousands of SKUs, replacing manual processes with data-driven decision-making.