New research reveals that 54% of UK business leaders are concerned about their workforce’s lack of skills to leverage AI, while only 25% have plans to recruit the right talent.
In response, Microsoft is expanding its UK skilling programme, Get On, aiming to equip 1 million people with vital AI skills by 2025. The programme expansion will focus on building AI fluency, developing technical skills, and supporting business transformation. Microsoft is partnering with various learning partners and non-profits to scale AI content and provide free digital training resources and courses.
- Over half of British business leaders surveyed (52%) believe the UK is racing against time to become an AI superpower.
- 54% of business leaders surveyed are concerned their workforce lacks the skills to make the most of the AI opportunity.
- Microsoft is expanding its UK skilling program, aiming to equip 1 million people with the skills needed to thrive in the AI-enabled economy.
Urgency to Harness AI Power: UK Businesses’ Race Against Time
In an age of unstoppable technological progress, it appears that over half of UK business leaders (52%) feel the pressure to establish the UK as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). This comes as AI continues to evolve rapidly, including the advent of large language models (LLM), reshaping employment and business models.
However, a study by YouGov for Microsoft highlights that 54% of these leaders worry their workforce may not have the skills to take advantage of this AI revolution.
Actions to Future-Proof Businesses
Despite this urgency, only a quarter of these leaders (25%) have plans to hire the right talent to implement AI throughout their organisations. Even fewer, just 26%, have undertaken training to enhance their knowledge about AI use in their job. To overcome these obstacles, Microsoft is extending its UK skilling initiative, Get On, aiming to equip a million people with the necessary skills for an AI-influenced economy.
Microsoft’s Commitment to AI Skilling
Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK, voiced her concerns at Microsoft’s Envision UK event:
“The UK has a very real opportunity to be a leader in the era of AI, but as our research shows, there are barriers stopping the UK turning its ambition into action.”
She emphasised the importance of innovation, stating that every job will soon require AI support, necessitating a workforce with the right skills. She announced Microsoft’s plan to help one million people acquire the AI skills needed to kick-start or advance their tech careers by 2025.
Turning Ambition into Action
Microsoft’s Get On programme expansion builds on their previous five-year initiative, which has already trained 1.1 million people in digital skills and helped over 30,000 people establish tech careers. Microsoft’s new set of AI skilling resources are designed to ride the generative AI wave that is engulfing various industries.
With 45% of job seekers expressing interest in AI, the programme will familiarise candidates, non-profits, and employers with AI, helping them build with the new technology and achieve professional accreditation and certification throughout their journey.
Partnerships for AI Skilling
Microsoft is joining forces with learning partners such as QA, Firebrand, Fast Lane, Skillsoft Global Knowledge, GetMyFirstJob, PwC, and non-profit partners Catch22, Generation and The Prince’s Trust. The goal is to scale AI content and offer free digital training resources and courses.
Andy Turner, Managing Director, Fast Lane, emphasised the importance of making technology education and skills accessible for all, particularly in relation to AI and Machine Learning.
Focus Areas of Microsoft’s Expanded AI Resources
Microsoft is focusing on three key areas: building AI fluency, developing AI technical skills, and supporting AI business transformation. These efforts aim to enable workers to build AI knowledge, develop their technical skills, achieve certification and manage AI transformation and upskilling across new AI products and services.
Final Thoughts
The urgency for the UK to become a world leader in the AI era is clear. It’s evident that businesses need to equip their workforce with the right skills to fully realise the potential that AI offers.
Microsoft’s commitment to skilling, and its expansion of the Get On programme, could play a pivotal role in bridging the skills gap and turning the UK’s AI ambition into a reality. All of us, whether we are employers, employees or job seekers, are encouraged to embrace these opportunities and start our AI journey.
FAQ
Q: What percentage of British business leaders surveyed believe the UK is racing against time to become an AI superpower?
A: Over half, 52%, of British business leaders surveyed believe the UK is racing against time to become an AI superpower.
Q: How many business leaders surveyed are concerned that their workforce lacks the skills to make the most of the AI opportunity?
A: 54% of business leaders surveyed are concerned that their workforce lacks the skills to make the most of the AI opportunity.
Q: How many business leaders surveyed have plans in place to recruit the right talent to implement AI across their organisations?
A: Only a quarter, 25%, of business leaders surveyed have plans in place to recruit the right talent to implement AI across their organisations.
Q: How many business leaders surveyed have completed training to improve their understanding of how to use AI in their jobs?
A: Just 26% of business leaders surveyed have completed training to improve their understanding of how to use AI in their jobs.
Q: What is the goal of Microsoft’s UK skilling program, Get On?
A: The goal of Microsoft’s UK skilling program, Get On, is to equip 1 million people with the skills needed to thrive in the AI-enabled economy.
Q: How many people has Microsoft trained in digital skills through its five-year initiative?
A: Microsoft has trained 1.1 million people in digital skills through its five-year initiative.
Q: What are the three key areas that Microsoft’s expanded AI resources will focus on?
A: Microsoft’s expanded AI resources will focus on building AI fluency, developing AI technical skills, and supporting AI business transformation.
Q: What new resources are included in Microsoft’s AI skilling program?
A: The new resources in Microsoft’s AI skilling program include the first Professional Certificate on Generative AI, Microsoft Learn AI content, tools and resources, virtual training days, AI business transformation modules, self-guided AI learning journeys, and access to LinkedIn AI learning pathway grants and resources.
