AI is rapidly reshaping how businesses across the economy operate - transforming tasks, workflows and decision-making, and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. But the UK's ability to harness its benefits will only be realised if people have the right skills and support to use it effectively and responsibly. This report draws on insights from the CBI's cross-sectoral AI Skills Task and Finish Group, reflecting real-world business practice and the emerging challenges of AI-driven workforce transformation.
The work shows that while AI adoption is gaining momentum, the benefits are not being felt evenly across the economy. Many businesses are experimenting with AI but lack consistent access to training, impartial guidance, and the capability needed to scale adoption. Employers also report that AI is reshaping roles and entry pathways in ways that current skills systems are not yet designed to support. These findings highlight the need for a more coordinated, demand-led national approach to AI skills that brings government, industry, professional bodies, and educators together behind a shared plan.
To deliver this transformation, the report identifies the following priorities for collective action:
Focus the 7.5 million workers initiative on harder-to-reach groups and catalyst roles
- Extend support and learning pathways towards harder-to-reach groups.
- Treat teachers and education intermediaries as a priority group.
- Integrate AI literacy and governance into professional development and accreditation frameworks.
Make AI literacy a core capability across education and training
- Deliver AI-focused micro-credentials and hybrid qualifications to create flexible, employer-recognised pathways that keep pace with rapidly evolving AI capabilities.
- Make apprenticeships more flexible and responsive to employer needs.
- Unlock the potential of the Growth and Skills Levy to fund the scale of training needed for an AI-enabled economy.
- Capitalise on the potential of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to increase adult participation.
Strengthen national coordination and coherence in AI skills delivery
- Develop a UK AI Literacy Standard to provide a consistent baseline for responsible AI use across the workforce.
- Establish a National AI Skills Delivery Board to drive coherence and accountability across the AI skills system
The CBI will continue to work closely with government and employers to ensure these findings shape effective delivery and support a confident, inclusive AI transition across the economy.
