AI Business insights
Mind the Gap: Is Your Team’s AI Knowledge Holding You Back?
Your team has access to the most powerful business tools we’ve seen in a generation. They’re using them every day. But there’s a catch – most of them are learning through trial and error, piecing together knowledge as they go. Sound familiar?
Here’s a reality check: while 70% of UK employees are now using AI tools in their daily work, nearly 6.31 million workers (that’s almost one in five of us) haven’t received proper training. It’s like giving someone the keys to a high-performance car without teaching them how to drive. The potential is enormous, but so are the risks.
Why Should We Care About the AI Skills Gap?
If you’re running a business, this skills gap creates some real headaches. Think about it: without proper training, people naturally turn to whatever tools they can find. In fact, 62% of UK workers admit to using platforms like ChatGPT without their company’s approval. In a lot of ways it’s understandable – they’re trying to keep up with demands – but it opens up significant security risks and compliance issues.
But there is a positive: when people receive proper AI training, the results are remarkable. Workers who know how to use AI effectively save an average of 37 minutes every day. That adds up to more than 150 productive hours each year! And the benefits don’t stop there. Companies that invest in thorough AI training see:
- Task automation jumping up by 31%, freeing teams to focus on work that really matters
- Decision-making speeding up by 27%, helping businesses respond more quickly to changes
- Marketing teams cutting their campaign development time by 40%
It’s Not Just About Technical Know-How
While understanding the technical side of AI is crucial, there’s much more to it than that. The most effective AI training brings together both technical skills and human insight:
Getting the Basics Right
Good training helps teams master the essentials – everything from crafting effective AI prompts to keeping data secure. It’s about understanding not just how to use AI tools, but how to use them responsibly and in line with regulations like GDPR and the upcoming UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
Bringing Human Wisdom to AI
Perhaps even more important is developing the judgment to know when and how to use AI. It’s about building the confidence to question AI outputs, knowing how to blend human expertise with AI capabilities, and understanding where AI can truly add value to our work.
Keeping Up with the Rules
The UK is leading the way in setting standards for responsible AI use, and the rules are evolving quickly. Recent changes mean:
- Company directors are now personally responsible for AI security
- Technical teams need specific AI security training
- AI vendors must undergo regular audits
For those of us in marketing, there are additional guidelines to consider:
- Being transparent about AI-generated content
- Following new rules about how AI can be used in customer targeting
- Making sure our AI tools aren’t creating unfair bias
Making AI Training Work
What we’ve learned from experience is that the best AI training programmes are hands-on and practical. It’s not about sitting through lengthy presentations – it’s about rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in with the tools you’ll actually be using.
When teams get this kind of practical training, the transformation is significant. A majority stop seeing AI as something threatening or overwhelming and start seeing it as a powerful tool in their professional toolkit. They become more confident, more innovative, and more effective in their roles.
Looking to the Future
The potential impact of closing the AI skills gap is huge – we’re talking about unlocking nearly £12 billion in cybersecurity growth alone. But more than that, it’s about making sure our businesses and our people are ready for the future of work.
The organisations that thrive in the coming years will be those that help their teams embrace AI confidently and skillfully. They’ll be the ones:
- Finding innovative ways to work smarter
- Staying ahead of regulatory changes
- Building lasting advantages in an increasingly AI-powered world
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re thinking about how to bring AI training to your team, we’d love to help. Let’s talk about creating a training approach that works for your specific needs and goals.