{"id":74429,"date":"2026-10-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?post_type=sf_press_release&p=74429"},"modified":"2026-10-15T07:48:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T06:48:43","slug":"slack-education-announcement","status":"publish","type":"sf_press_release","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/uk\/news\/press-releases\/2026\/10\/15\/slack-education-announcement\/","title":{"rendered":"Salesforce Pledges Free Slack Enterprise Access to Millions of Higher and Further Education Students in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LONDON \u2013 15 October \u2013<\/strong> Salesforce today announced a global-first initiative to provide free Slack Enterprise<\/a> access to millions of higher and further education students in the UK. Aimed at closing the UK\u2019s digital skills gap, the pledge gives students a single place to learn, connect, and build real AI skills\u2014right 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK today, 61% of workers<\/a> receive no AI training; this initiative builds digital fluency, directly boosting graduate employability at a time when 1 million<\/a> young people in the UK are classified as NEET \u2014 not in education, employment or training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement marks a key milestone in Salesforce\u2019s $6 billion commitment<\/a> to its UK business through 2030, following the opening of its expanded London AI Campus<\/a>, and builds on the company\u2019s broader work to develop AI skills across the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, President & CEO, Salesforce UK & Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, President & CEO, Salesforce UK & Ireland said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYoung people will define the next decade of UK business, and it\u2019s 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.\u201d
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Built on trusted enterprise technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

By integrating AI into everyday conversations, Slack gives students an easy way to build practical AI skills. Included with Slack Enterprise, Slackbot<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Ashley Braganza, Chair in Business Transformation and Director of the Centre for AI: Social and Digital Innovation, Brunel University of London<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudents 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.\u201d – Professor Ashley Braganza, Chair in Business Transformation and Director of the Centre for AI: Social and Digital Innovation, Brunel University of London<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n