AI’s Real Power: People and Skills, Not Just Technology
We’re long past the breathless headlines about Artificial Intelligence. It’s no longer a shiny concept waiting in the wings; it’s already embedded into the fabric of our lives and shaping the future of our economies.
But for all the talk of opportunity, one truth remains: without the right skills in the right hands, AI will never deliver on its promise. Technology cannot transform industries alonge, it requires people.
The great AI divide will not be between businesses, industries, and nations that have AI and those that do not. It will be between those that have skilled people who can use AI effectively and those that do not.
To unlock the full value of AI, we need a practical and intelligent plan to build a workforce ready to use it. That demands collaboration — industry working with universities, learning providers, and professional bodies to create education that is fast, relevant, and rooted in real world needs.
Encouragingly, Tech Industry Gold universities and training organisations are already adapting, forging new partnerships, designing modular and flexible programmes, and ensuring what is taught in the classroom matches what is needed in the boardroom. Get it right, and we get the best of both worlds: strong standards of excellence alongside skills businesses actually need. Get it wrong, and we risk an economy fuelled by theory but slowed by a shortage of practical talent.
Traditionally, universities moved at a cautious pace while businesses charged ahead. But AI is encouraging a faster and more productive relationship. Universities are co-designing AI curriculums with major employers, embedding industry placements, and rolling out short, targeted courses aligned to new business needs.
At the same time, AI powered platforms are empowering students. The area to solve real world challenges requires critical thinking, collaboration, and practical problem solving. By blending smart curriculum with AI driven feedback and human moderation, it is showing what education can become when it sits at the intersection of academia, technology, and industry.
Of course, not all education is created equal. We do not just need more training — we need better training. Accredited, rigorous programmes that employers and employees can trust. Accreditation is not about creating barriers; it is about building confidence and ensuring that skills taught lead to real employability.
Building this capability does not mean producing only coders. We need a workforce that is AI literate — workers, managers, and business owners who understand what AI can and cannot do, where it fits into their businesses, and how to use it wisely and ethically. AI literacy is becoming as fundamental to business as knowing how to send an email or manage finances.
Scaling AI adoption means focusing where it matters most — in the meeting rooms of the UK's 5.5 million small and medium sized enterprises. SMEs employ around 60 percent of the UK workforce and account for over half of business turnover. If AI does not reach them, it does not scale.
Helping SMEs adopt AI is about making sure the people who built and sustain our economy are not left behind. It is about upskilling and reskilling the workforce that matters most.
The reality is that most SMEs face real barriers to investing in AI skills and training. They do not have large HR departments or innovation budgets. Time is tight, margins are tighter, and the pressure to keep trading often wins out over long term investment. Training must be affordable, flexible, accessible, and closely aligned to real business needs.
There are promising examples. Tech Industry Gold accredited institutions like the University of East London are taking a modular, stackable approach that can be accessed by employers and individuals, combining academic rigour with the flexibility needed in today’s working world. By making education more accessible and business relevant, they are showing that high standards and practical outcomes can go hand in hand.
To make this work at scale, we need a clear and ambitious approach to funding skills development. The Skills and Growth Levy, for example, could become a powerful investment tool — rewarding SMEs for developing expertise in AI, digital transformation, and other key fields. Training credits should be flexible. Short courses should be available alongside apprenticeships. Businesses should be able to pool resources across supply chains. In short, learning should happen at the pace that businesses and people actually move.
Initiatives like Skills Bootcamps are already pointing in the right direction, offering short, flexible training linked to employer needs. But without formal accreditation, their impact may be limited. Trusted standards help ensure that skills training leads to employment and career growth.
Ultimately, we are not just building technical systems. We are building human systems, preparing people for the jobs, industries, and economies of the future.
The winners in the AI era will not be those with the most powerful tools. They will be the ones who get the most people using AI wisely, creatively, and confidently — across every business, every sector, every community.
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption.
The economic growth and productivity gain that AI can unlock is vast, but to fully harness this transformative opportunity, immediate action is required. Our aim is to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.
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Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- tessbuckley.me
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesssbuckley/
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She is currently taking part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07805744520
- Twitter:
- @nimmiptl
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimmi-patel1/
Audre Verseckaite
Audre Verseckaite
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Edward Emerson
Edward Emerson
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-emerson-009189183
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
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Lorna Willis
Lorna is an award-winning CEO who puts investment in people and talent at the heart of the organisations she’s worked for. She successfully led the transformation of Archant Community Media delivering new revenue, audience growth and improved staff retention and engagement, as well as leading on the creation of a learning organisation with the emphasis on integrating digital skills and capability.