AI is reshaping how organisations operate. From internal operations to customer experience, learning and development, and tech modernisation, AI has the potential to make a meaningful impact everywhere. But despite scaling up their AI technologies, only a third (27%) of UK businesses think their non-technical workforce is well-prepared to leverage new technology.
The AI skills shortage is well-documented and has doubled over the last year. It's the steepest increase for a specific skill recorded within the last 16 years, and far surpasses the skills shortages seen in big data and cybersecurity. But interestingly, the problem doesn’t lie with workers.
Managers are Unequipped to Lead on AI
More than half (58%) of leaders have received no training on AI, which is a huge oversight when it comes to transformation success. Often, AI projects stall when they reach the management level, because, while senior executives set the strategy, it’s down to middle managers and team leaders to execute. Without the right skills to lead with AI, these individuals struggle to turn AI strategies into real business impact.
It’s a problem that is already front of mind for many members of your management team. Over two-thirds of leaders are worried about lacking a plan for how to implement AI in their workplace. And within their teams, 2 in 5 workers lack the skills to identify where AI could add value in their role – but without AI skills themselves, team leaders can’t improve AI literacy. This places the business at a severe disadvantage, as well as results in 27 days lost per employee per year in productivity.
Insufficient skills and expertise are the primary barrier to rolling out AI initiatives, exceeding other challenges, including fragmented systems, data integration, and inadequate infrastructure for real-time data processing.
So what can you do to ensure your leaders and managers are set up to succeed with AI?
Critical AI Skills All Leaders Need
Today, leaders are responsible for delivering data- and AI-powered products, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that they need to become more tech-savvy.
However, in reality, the most powerful transformations don’t succeed because of technology. They succeed because they’re driven by beliefs, shared purpose, and culture.
As Cambridge Spark's CEO, Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma, discovered through the Data and AI Mastery podcast, the most important AI skills combine technical mastery and human intelligence – think entrepreneurial mindset, learning agility, critical thinking, data and AI fluency, and systems thinking.
The good news is, these skills are teachable. And when managers are equipped to lead on AI, it trickles down into their teams, who then know how to analyse data faster, optimise workflows, identify new growth opportunities, and solve challenges that previously seemed impossible.
To stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, investing in AI training and data education is essential.
Sign Up for the AI Leader Apprenticeship (L5)
The AI Leader Apprenticeship (L5) is designed to help managers confidently lead AI-driven change and translate vision into real business impact.
At Cambridge Spark, we set the gold standard. We’re always first to market with courses that develop new skills, and we set the benchmark to upskill the global workforce with the critical digital transformation skills needed to succeed with data and AI. To date, we have generated £350m+ in ROI for our clients.
Our programmes blend lectures, workshops, and self-paced e-learning, with training delivered via expert lecturers, technical mentors, and professionally trained coaches. Each programme also features access to our online learning platform, EDUKATE.AI, to accelerate training outcomes.
Exclusive to the AI Leader Apprenticeship programme is the AI Leaders Summit, an in-person day at a Cambridge college, which features talks from leading academics, dynamic panel discussions, and unique cross-cohort networking opportunities.
Upon completing the programme, your managers and leaders will have gained the skills to:
Translate vision into action: to execute on your organisation’s AI strategy.
Deliver ROI from AI: leaders can identify and implement strategically important AI use cases.
Drive responsible AI: due to dedicated training in governance, risk, and responsible use of AI.
Build AI literacy: within their team and to enhance decision-making skills, which align with operations and leadership.
Leading in the Age of AI
Whether you’re responsible for leadership development, digital transformation, or building AI capability across your organisation, this webinar explores the AI Leader Apprenticeship (L5) in more detail, showing you how to close the critical gap between strategy and execution.
Watch the webinar on demand now
Alternatively, our team is always on hand and ready to answer any questions you may have about our apprenticeship programmes and development pathways, as well as discuss what it's like to partner with Cambridge Spark to upskill your workforce. Simply drop us a message.