UK’s £2 billion AI plan spurs hope, but skills gap remains

The newly announced GBP £2 billion government investment in the UK's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan has sparked widespread analysis and optimism across the technology sector.

Senior figures from leading digital transformation and cyber security firms see this move as a pivotal opportunity for the UK to assert itself as a global leader in AI and digital innovation, while warning of the substantial preparatory work required to make the ambition a reality.

Greg Hanson, Group Vice President and Head of EMEA North at Informatica, welcomed the historic investment, describing it as a measure with the "potential to drive growth in the UK economy, transform the public sector and propel the country to a leading position in the global AI race."

However, Hanson cautioned that acquiring and deploying sophisticated technology is not enough; the key challenge lies in cultivating a workforce equipped with advanced AI skills and expertise.

"If the UK doesn't have the right skillset, valuable insights will be left undiscovered and productivity gains remain elusive," Hanson said, stressing that many organisations remain at the "early stages of building AI readiness and preparing their data for AI." He warned against a hasty approach, stating that moving forward without the appropriate foundations and culture could risk "long-term setbacks rather than sustainable success."

Kyle Hill, Chief Technology Officer at ANS, echoed the sentiment that while the investment constitutes a "bold but essential step" forward, funding alone will not deliver transformation.

Pointing to industry estimates that 27% of UK firms are hindered in their AI adoption by a lack of expertise, Hill argued that "investment must go hand-in-hand with training." He praised the government's TechFirst programme for introducing AI education into classrooms, but underscored the need for support to help existing workforces upskill, thus ensuring "AI is adopted safely and securely."

Hill emphasised the importance of a strategic, long-term approach: "We must embrace AI in a sustainable, responsible, and considerable way to put the UK at the top of the AI leaderboard."

Joe Dunleavy, EMEA Chief Technology Officer at Endava, described the government's investment as a "bold move to put the UK at the forefront of homegrown AI."

He cited remarks from Prime Minister Keir Starmer alluding to economic growth being tightly linked to the UK's ability to harness innovation, with AI forming the centrepiece of that ambition. Dunleavy highlighted the importance of approaching this challenge pragmatically, noting that "to lead in AI, industries must act now" by closing skills gaps, modernising digital infrastructure, and developing robust governance frameworks for responsible AI utilisation.

Drawing on Endava's recent research, he noted that 61% of respondents believe the UK is already ahead of the global curve on AI, but warned against complacency: "This is our window to lead not just in building AI, but in showing the world how to apply it, at scale and with impact."

On the cybersecurity front, Mike Maddison, Chief Executive at NCC Group, welcomed what he called an "important step in the UK's digital future" specifically relating to the government's renewed commitment to sovereign digital defence capabilities and reforms to technology investment in public sector departments. Maddison stressed that "national security is inseparable from digital security", and applauded the focus on tackling outdated systems while embedding digital expertise at the heart of public sector reform.

He described cyber resilience as "the bedrock of this future", calling for further targeted support for mid-sized cyber firms which he regards as "agile, innovative, and deeply embedded in the fabric of our national resilience."

Across the sector, there is broad consensus that the GBP £2 billion AI Action Plan marks a significant and positive government intervention that could help the UK take a leading role in the global AI race. However, technology leaders warn that the real measure of success will depend on new skills development, robust infrastructure, cybersecurity, and a responsible approach to AI governance and business adoption. The coming years will reveal whether the UK's strategy translates into transformative growth across the economy and public sector.