The UK Government has released new guidance to increase the uptake of AI in businesses.
The guidance will ensure that employees have the skills needed as the use of AI in businesses increases. It will help employers boost their employees’ understanding of AI so that they can use it in their day-to-day role.
The guidance includes how to use AI tools effectively, such as Large Language Models and the safe management of sensitive data.
Focused on five key areas, everything from using AI to evaluate project performance to building the necessary skills will be covered by the guidance. Employees will be helped by employers to develop a deeper understanding of how businesses work with AI, and how organisations can incorporate it further.
The importance of implementing AI in businesses
As AI use in businesses across the country grows, the guidance will help organisations ensure that their employees can harness the huge potential of the technology.
By upskilling workers, businesses can increase productivity to ensure that their workforce can focus on largely impactful tasks.
A highly skilled workforce will allow businesses to grow, contributing to the government’s commitment to growing the economy.
Minister for AI Viscount Camrose said: “This guidance will be vital in helping us realise that ambition, continuing an important conversation with businesses across the UK to make sure the steps they can take are practical, functional, and successful.
“Having a workforce which is equipped to work alongside AI will drive growth for businesses and allow us to realise the enormous opportunities AI presents in every sector of our economy.”
Investments into UK AI
The guidance, developed in partnership with the Innovate BridgeAI programme and the Alan Turing Institute, marks the first step of the government working closely with the business community to implement AI.
The move comes as the Chancellor welcomes Microsoft’s £2.5bn investment in UK AI over the next three years – expanding its next-generation AI datacentre infrastructure. This vital investment will be used to process, host, and store the huge amounts of digital information needed to develop AI models.
What is included in the new guidance?
The areas identified in the guidance are broken down into corresponding knowledge and skillsets, including:
- Knowledge of how AI can be used effectively;
- The ability to carry out a range of tasks;
- Using appropriate behaviour when working with AI; and
- Developing sound judgement in situations where AI could be used.
The new guidance will be underpinned by a breakdown of four distinct personas which correspond to the level of AI expertise an individual may need. This will identify skills gaps and provide relevant training schemes to effectively implement AI in businesses.
AI Citizens are members of an organisation making use of AI, whereas AI Workers are employees whose daily role sits outside of data but will be impacted by the technologies.
The guidance defines an AI Professional as those identified with specific responsibilities around data and AI. AI Leaders are people in senior positions who help to introduce emerging technologies.
The personas will help businesses improve their recruitment processes by identifying the necessary AI skills.
Matt Forshaw, Senior Advisor for Skills at The Alan Turing Institute said: “Businesses are increasingly interested to learn how AI could enhance their productivity and competitiveness, but they also want to ensure they have the skills and competencies to adopt these technologies safely and ethically.”
Ensuring the guidance is useful
The government is now seeking views from across the UK’s expert community to see if the guidance is useful for improving AI use in businesses. Stakeholders have the opportunity to comment on the guidance through the Alan Turing Institute until January, which will host a webinar and Q&A on 7 December.
InnovateUK BridgeAI and the Alan Turing Institute will build on this feedback to publish updated guidance – an accompanying skills framework and sector-specific case studies.
The resources will help businesses understand their AI upskilling needs, unlocking the value of the technology for the future.
