UK firms face skills gap threat as AI ambitions outpace expertise

New research has found that a shortage of skilled artificial intelligence professionals is threatening the ambitions of UK enterprises to scale their AI projects and achieve returns on investment.

The research, published in the Practical Insights from AI Leaders report by Kore.ai, surveyed 104 senior business and technology leaders in the UK. Over a third (36%) of respondents identified a lack of AI expertise as the most significant barrier to implementing and expanding AI solutions in their organisations. This figure points to an ongoing challenge facing many enterprises as they strive to mature their AI capabilities.

The survey also revealed that just 20% of leaders feel fully prepared to scale AI effectively. The majority of respondents indicated they are still in the process of developing their approaches, signalling that the skills gap could continue to impact UK business competitiveness in this area for some time.

Skills in demand

The research highlighted the types of skills that companies believe will become increasingly important for future AI initiatives. Human-AI interaction was cited by 33% of leaders as the most in-demand skill, closely followed by data analysis and visualisation (28%) and data management (27%). These areas reflect the growing complexity and integration of AI solutions into core business processes, with firms seeking expertise to bridge the gap between human workers and technical systems.

To address the identified skills gaps, UK enterprises are looking both internally and externally. The report notes that 34% of leaders see hiring internal AI expertise as a key requirement for the next wave of AI projects, while 32% point to the need for external specialists. These findings suggest a range of approaches are being considered to ensure organisations can access the necessary talent.

Investment and retention

Despite the challenges, optimism remains regarding investment and staff retention. Nearly half of those surveyed (49%) expect their organisations' AI budget allocations to increase significantly within the next three years. This suggests ongoing commitment to the development and deployment of AI solutions, even as skills shortages remain a concern.

Additionally, the vast majority (86%) of respondents reported satisfaction with their ability to attract and retain AI talent. This is viewed as a positive factor in maintaining momentum, as high employee turnover can often exacerbate skills gaps and disrupt project continuity.

Industry perspective

AI's greatest power is amplifying the human touch. But to do that, humans need to have the right skills to work with it. This research shows that while UK enterprises are eager to harness AI, the skills gap is a pressing challenge that threatens to stall momentum. To unlock the full potential of AI at scale, organisations must look beyond short-term fixes and invest in building sustainable expertise through upskilling existing teams, forging the right partnerships and new hires, or rethinking how humans and AI will collaborate in the workplace. The companies that succeed will be those that treat their talent strategy as an integral part of their AI strategy.

The growing demand for AI skills comes as UK enterprises continue to integrate artificial intelligence into operations and explore new applications. The focus on human-AI collaboration and the importance of developing appropriate expertise underscores the multi-dimensional nature of the skills required.

Results from the Kore.ai survey provide an overview of the current state of AI adoption within UK businesses and the associated skills challenges. While investment levels and optimism remain high, the survey indicates that addressing the skills gap will be crucial if organisations are to unlock the value and scale promised by AI technologies.