AI upskilling: Is your business ready?
By Fay Capstick
As we have seen in previous blogs, we are on the cusp of an AI revolution. Big changes are coming, be it good or bad, but after the AI Safety Summit held in the UK last November, we have to hope that we are on the verge of AI revolutionising our lives positively. However for that to happen, the technology will need to be everywhere, which means that people will need upskilling to be a part of the revolution. So this week, we ask what AI upskilling means, and is your business ready?
Skills Gap
In previous blogs, we have looked at some of the challenges that the UK tech and digital sector faces from a lack of workers with the skills needed to meet the needs of businesses. Solutions that we have looked at include promoting STEM careers within schools so that students are put on the right path of what to study from the beginning. We have also touched on upskilling your existing workers.
Unlocking the benefits of AI
To truly benefit from the coming wave of AI, you will need to boost the skills of your workers. This is the key to unlocking the benefits of AI, and the Government and businesses are keen to make this happen so that the UK can become a world leader.
Why upskill for AI?
Employees that can use AI effectively to perform their jobs will boost productivity in the workplace. This will benefit the economy.
Some new terms
AI Citizens: That’s all of us, the public who will be customers or clients or employees of an organisation that uses AI. It is hard to imagine anyone that this won’t apply to in the new era.
AI Workers: The Government define these as employees whose daily jobs aren’t in data and AI, but whose jobs will be impacted by the technologies. Again, this is a very broad category and will likely apply to most people whose jobs are office-based.
AI Professionals: This is a smaller group, and applies to those workers whose jobs are specifically involved with data and AI.
AI Leaders: This will be at a higher level, and will apply to people who are overseeing and introducing emerging technologies. This will likely be board-level workers. We have previously looked at the ethical issues associated with AI, and it will therefore be vitally important that AI Leaders ethically guide the emerging technology. They will have a critical role in shaping the way the AI Revolution goes.
What about the Ethics of AI?
As we have just noted, AI Leaders will have a critical role in shaping how the emerging AI technology is integrated into businesses. However, knowledge of the ethics of AI will be essential to all workers and users at all levels: it will impact everyone.
What is the Government doing to help?
The Government want to support businesses to upskill their workers, and they are calling on businesses and experts to help shape the guidance that they will offer. The Government will be helping employers boost their employees’ understanding of AI and its capabilities. This means that everyone will be able to use it in their roles. Using AI safely is a top priority.
The Government are making investments to ensure that the necessary upskilling and knowledge is in place. £290 million has been invested to date in AI skills and talent initiatives, and as we have previously seen, postgraduate research centres and scholarships have been announced.
What needs to happen?
Workers will need to understand how to work with AI in their daily jobs. Training providers can be used by employers to help with the shift in working practices that this will cause.
Employees will need to understand how their company works with AI, how AI can be used further, and what tools they will need to be able to use. This will increase the confidence of workers and their organisations.
Why should this happen?
There is now no doubt that the AI revolution has started, and the impact that it will have on businesses could be transformative for our economy and our country, along with our place in the world. Work will be able to be done more efficiently, therefore increasing productivity and output. Further, a highly skilled workforce in the UK will benefit everyone at all levels and it means that the UK can effectively take part in the AI Revolution.
Can we upskill in time?
Yes, we are confident that this can be achieved, however, it will take a concerted effort by employers and the Government, plus a willing attitude from workers. Workers can sometimes be reluctant to embrace transformation and change, so it will need to be broached and planned carefully to make sure everyone is included.
Final thoughts
At Parker Shaw, we have been at the forefront of the sector we serve, IT & Digital Recruitment and Consulting, for over 30 years. We can advise you on all your hiring needs.
If you are looking for your next job in the IT sector please check our Jobs Board for our current live vacancies at https://parkershaw.co.uk/jobs-board