Digital Learning
The AI Skills Gap in the UK: Challenges and Opportunities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool which has taken the world by storm in recent years. With many free models available and plenty of organisations creating their own versions, it’s essential that the workforce today have an understanding – but there’s undoubtedly an AI skills gap that needs to be addressed.
In this article, we’re going to explore what the AI skills gap is, why it exists and how L&D can help successfully bridge the gap.
In this article we will explore the following areas:
- What is the AI Skills Gap?
- Why does the AI Skills Gap exist?
- What skills are needed to bridge the gap?
- Four ways L&D can help close the AI skills gap
- The importance of providing your L&D teams with AI training
- The pivotal role of AI in Learning and Development
- Bridge the AI skills gap with the help of Access Learning
What is the AI Skills Gap?
The AI skills gap refers to the disparity between current workplace skills and the growing demand for professionals who require AI-related expertise. A recent report by Bosch found that 4 out of 5 people worldwide plan to educate themselves in the field of AI, showcasing just how noticeable the AI skills shortage is becoming.
The urgency for L&D teams to act now on the AI skills gap stems from the accelerating pace of AI adoption. Delay means falling behind competitors who are already equipping their workforce. Organisations risk significant competitive disadvantage if they lack the internal expertise to leverage AI effectively. With an IBM report revealing that executives anticipate up to 40% of their workforce may need to reskill over the next three years due to AI, there’s a rising pressure to provide valuable learning opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence.
In terms of embracing AI from a HR perspective, there is the ethical consideration of how to appropriately use it. I think there's a big educational piece and we're going to learn as we go along in the industry.
We have adopted AI and are advocating for the use of Copilot. Our L&D manager has been pioneering L&D digitisation. She’s been working with IT to provide masterclasses on how to use Copilot in your working environment which is very exciting.
We can’t stop AI. If we think this has been a huge shift in tech innovation, it’s just going to get bigger. The quicker organisations embrace it and educate their organisation, the better.
Why does the AI Skills Gap exist?
With organisations reviewing AI implementation with a critical eye and many employee fears surrounding it not going away and creating a risk of job loss, it’s really no surprise that there is a divide between AI skills and current workplace skills. Let’s explore this in more detail:
Rapid AI evolution:
Technologies are evolving faster than training programs, meaning that it’s hard for organisations to keep up with the pace. This leads to a situation where current employees lack the necessary expertise to effectively utilise the latest AI tools, and training initiatives become quickly outdated.
Misalignment in education:
There is limited focus on AI in traditional school curriculums, resulting in a workforce that enters the job market with insufficient foundational knowledge of AI principles and applications. This lack of familiarity hinders their ability to contribute to AI-driven projects, or to utilise AI within their roles.
Perceived complexity
Many professionals assume AI requires advanced technical skills only. While this may be true for those developing AI models, many AI tools and applications are becoming increasingly user-friendly. However, this misconception discourages individuals from pursuing AI-related training, creating a self-imposed barrier to skill development.
To address these concerns, businesses should provide digital learning solutions which offer flexible, modular, and up-to-date content that can be tailored to individual skill levels and evolving industry needs.
What skills are needed to bridge the gap?
For organisations to successfully bridge the AI skills gap, they need to first understand what the required skills for artificial intelligence are. L&D teams should focus on building a blend of technical and soft skills through strategic training initiatives, targeting the following topics:
Technical Skills
- AI Fundamentals & Machine Learning Basics
- Data Analytics
- Programming (Python, R)
Soft Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Adaptability & Continuous Learning
- Ethical AI Use
By providing your workforce with robust skills that tackle both technical proficiency and the key capabilities to use AI tools correctly, and by L&D teams strategically embedding ethical AI training into their programs, organisations can ensure responsible and sustainable AI adoption across the board.
Find out more about the AI skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
Four ways L&D can help close the AI skills gap
To successfully bridge the AI skills gap, organisations need to be working directly with their L&D teams to help train the workforce in skills for artificial intelligence. Here’s how they can do this:
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Prioritise upskilling for AI proficiency
To effectively address the AI skills gap, organisations must prioritise upskilling their workforce. L&D professionals are pivotal in this endeavour, as they are responsible for equipping employees with the necessary knowledge and abilities to thrive in an AI-driven environment. -
Design targeted AI training programs
L&D teams should begin by designing comprehensive, AI-focused learning programs that cater to diverse skill levels. These should incorporate both theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring employees can effectively translate concepts into real-world solutions. -
Leverage eLearning for scalable AI training
Leveraging eLearning solutions is crucial for making AI training accessible and scalable. This allows employees to learn at their own pace and convenience, regardless of their location or schedule. Implementing online modules, interactive simulations, and virtual labs can significantly enhance the learning experience. -
Create a culture of continuous AI learning
Encouraging a culture of continuous learning is essential for staying ahead of rapid AI advancements. L&D teams should facilitate ongoing access to updated resources, encourage participation in industry events, and promote a growth mindset, ensuring employees remain equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
The importance of providing your L&D teams with AI training
Leveraging the expertise of Learning and Development (L&D) teams is crucial for building an AI-proficient workforce and ensuring future readiness. However, L&D professionals themselves need to be adept at using AI-powered digital learning tools to effectively design and deliver AI-focused training, so providing them with opportunities for AI upskilling is essential.
Organisations must invest in the AI education of their L&D professionals, empowering them to stay ahead of the curve and cultivate a truly AI-ready workforce. A challenge that L&D teams face is the sheer speed of change within AI, so continuous learning must be prioritised.
The pivotal role of AI in Learning and Development
It will be no surprise that AI is becoming a transformative influence in the world of Learning and Development, both for workplace learners and the L&D team to drive efficiencies. Utilising an LMS which has built-in AI capabilities can help streamline training and reduce administrative burden. Let’s explore this in more detail.
How an AI LMS can support L&D teams
Using a digital learning assistant built into an LMS dramatically reduces administrative workload. For example, instead of manually searching records, L&D administrators can instantly retrieve critical information like completed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. The AI can also generate comprehensive reports in seconds, visualising key data points.
This instant access to accurate, data-driven insights empowers L&D teams to make informed decisions. By automating data retrieval and reporting, the AI frees up valuable time, allowing teams to focus on creating personalised learning experiences at scale. This ultimately drives higher learner engagement across the organisation.
How an LMS with AI can help workplace learners
An AI assistant can offer personalised learning recommendations, providing effective and targeted learning opportunities for your workforce. Employees can search in the flow of work for AI-related learning content to help them upskill effectively, and all learning options – from courses and eBooks to live virtual classrooms- will be shown and available to choose from.
AI is transforming how we work, and learning should be no different. With Access LMS Evo, companies can deliver targeted, impactful training that drives measurable results while freeing up time for high-value work. By blending efficiency with engagement, we’re helping businesses build agile, highly skilled teams ready to succeed in an ever-changing workplace.
Bridge the AI skills gap with the help of Access Learning
By providing your workforce with AI-specific learning content and utilising an AI powered LMS, you can help to reduce the AI skills shortage and ensure your learners understand how to ethically and correctly work alongside AI.
Access LMS Evo includes a range of AI features which empower your workforce, from an AI Learning assistant which retrieves information in seconds, to a Feed feature which provides intelligent alerts and notifications meaningful to your learner. Our professional development solution, Bookboon, also has a large catalogue of content on AI. To find out more about how our digital learning solutions can help bridge the AI skills gap, get in touch today.