• Significant skill shortages have more than tripled since last year
• Workers are even lacking in basic digital literacy and skills
• Four in five London companies are increasing training investment

In a survey of more than 2,000 London business leaders, one in two believe their workforce doesn't currently have the skills required to meet their AI adoption needs.

Though this is a decrease compared with 63% last year, it still leaves half of companies struggling to keep pace with AI.

However, the proportion of businesses reporting significant skill shortages rose to 15% this year, compared with just 4% last year, implying that even basic training isn't being taken care of.

The AI skill shortage is growing

According to BusinessLDN, this is the highest level recorded since the annual survey began. But besides significant skill shortages, more than a third (35%) also warned they face moderate shortages.

AI aside, 60% also noted a lack of advanced digital skills and 23% shared a lack of even the most basic digital skills, but while companies don't have the human capacity to develop AI strategies at this point, three in four have gone down the route regardless.

"While London businesses are embracing AI, many are finding it challenging to stay on top of their workforce skills needs given the pace of change," Policy Delivery Director for People and Skills Mark Hilton wrote (via the BBC).

It's this exact lack of digital and AI skills that could be creating jobs in the short term, though, because four in five (83%) businesses revealed they had job vacancies – an opposite narrative to multiple reports that argue AI is replacing entry-level roles. Supporting that, three-quarters (76%) don't expect to cut headcount, suggesting we could finally have reached a balance after earlier mass layoffs.

But while countless surveys reveal that companies aren't supporting their workers with the right upskilling schemes, London looks to be doing things differently with 81% planning to increase training investment over the next year.

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!