Let’s talk AI Skills. Not the sci-fi, robot overlord kind. The real stuff. The kind that helps your team use AI without accidentally asking ChatGPT to write a love letter to their boss.
We recently hosted a no-fluff, no-fear webinar called AI Skills Sanity Check, led by the brilliant Annabel Hall (Talent & L&D Specialist at Instep UK). She was joined by four powerhouse women in tech:
- Niki Hutchinson, MD at Larkhill PR
- Lyndsey Simpson, CEO at 55Redefined Group
- Joanne Todd, CIO at St John’s Ambulance
- Eve Pullen, Digital Campaign Manager at Total Politics
Together, they tackled the big question: How do we build AI confidence and capability in the workplace, without losing our human edge?
You can watch the full webinar right here. Go on, we’ll wait.
Why We Had This Chat (SPOILER: It’s About Women in AI)
Here’s the stat that had our ears ringing: 71% of AI-skilled professionals are men. Just 29% are women. That’s a 42-point gender gap. And it’s not just a stat, it’s a flashing red warning light.
Women are less likely to be offered AI training, less confident in using it, and more likely to be in roles that AI is actively disrupting. More than being unfair, that’s just simply bad for business.
If AI is shaping the future of work, and half the workforce isn’t being included, we’re building a future that’s already broken.
As Joanne Todd said during the webinar: “We’ve got to be really careful about where that information comes from and making sure that it’s the right information in the right people’s hands… it’s how do we put the power of AI in those people’s hands, but keep that very human centric touch.”
Lyndsey Simpson added: “We only get around [AI bias] with two things. First, we start to build with intergenerational teams… then fully multi-sectional teams that represent the whole aspect of our population.”
So What Are AI Skills, Really?
Glad you asked. AI Skills aren’t just about coding or building chatbots. They’re about:
- Knowing how to use AI tools (without breaking stuff)
- Understanding what AI can and can’t do
- Spotting bias and calling it out
- Using AI to enhance your work, not replace it
According to Gartner, AI literacy helps organisations unlock strategic value while avoiding costly mistakes. And SAP found that employees with higher AI literacy are more confident, less fearful, and more likely to innovate.
The cost of doing nothing
LinkedIn reckons AI could unlock £532 billion in UK productivity, but only 4 in 10 business leaders are happy with their progress on AI adoption.
Meanwhile, PwC reports that AI-related job postings in the UK are still rising, even as global markets wobble.
Translation? The demand for AI skills is growing, but the supply isn’t keeping up. And that’s costing us – in innovation, in competitiveness, and in cold, hard cash.
AI skills in action: what businesses can do right now
So what’s the fix? It’s not just about hiring more data scientists. It’s about building AI literacy across the board – from HR to marketing to operations. Here’s what forward-thinking organisations are doing:
- Investing in AI training for all staff, not just tech teams
- Partnering with education providers (like Instep UK) to embed AI skills into apprenticeships
- Creating inclusive pathways for women and underrepresented groups to enter AI roles
- Making AI part of leadership development, not just IT strategy
Cisco’s recent report found that only 16% of UK organisations are AI-ready, citing infrastructure and skills gaps as the main blockers.
Why AI skills should be on every leader’s radar
If you’re a business leader and you’re not thinking about AI skills, you’re already behind. The future of work is being shaped by AI – from automation to decision-making to customer experience. And if your team doesn’t understand it, they can’t leverage it.
Niki Hutchinson said: “AI literacy goes beyond the use of the tools to actually a clearer understanding of how, when, where and why to use it.”
10 Things We Learned at the AI Skills Sanity Check
1. Start With Strategy (Not Panic)
If your AI plan is “let’s just try ChatGPT and see what happens,” you need a rethink. Define your ambition. Align it with your business goals. Otherwise, you’re just throwing spaghetti at the algorithm.
2. Curiosity Beats Fear
Want your team to embrace AI? Let them play. Host “show and tell” sessions. Make it fun. Experiential exposure is the best way to build AI confidence.
3. Security Matters (But Don’t Be a Fun Sponge)
Yes, open platforms can be risky. But banning them outright just creates shadow IT. Teach your team how to use AI safely, as prompt engineering is a key skill for managing risk.
4. Make It Cultural
AI shouldn’t be a side hustle. It should be part of “how we do things around here.” Forbes found that companies with embedded AI culture outperform their peers.
5. Keep the Human Stuff
AI can write emails. It can’t lead a team, spark a big idea, or navigate office politics. Creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are still top-tier skills.
6. Challenge the Bias
AI is trained on old data. That means it can reflect outdated views. Inclusive AI design is essential to avoid reinforcing discrimination.
7. AI Doesn’t Discover Stuff
Penicillin wasn’t invented by an algorithm. It was a happy accident. AI can’t replicate human curiosity. That’s your edge.
8. Govern With Guardrails (Not Brick Walls)
Don’t scare people away from AI. Create safe spaces to experiment. Harvard Business School found that women are 25% less likely to use AI at work due to fear and lack of support.
9. AI Is an Enabler, Not a Replacer
It’s here to help, not take over. The World Economic Forum says AI literacy is key to safe, inclusive transformation.
10. Prompt Like a Pro (Use GCSE)
Want better results from AI tools? Use the GCSE framework:
- Goal – What do you want? (e.g. “Write a newsletter”)
- Context – Who’s it for? (e.g. “Healthcare team leaders”)
- Source – Where should it pull info from?
- Expectation – What tone, format, or style?
The Instep UK approach: practical, inclusive, future-focused
At Instep UK, we’re not just talking about AI skills – we’re embedding them into our programmes. From Business Analyst Level 4 to Women in Leadership, we’re helping businesses build the capabilities they need to thrive in an AI-driven world.
We believe AI literacy should be:
- Accessible: No jargon, no gatekeeping
- Inclusive: Designed for everyone, not just techies
- Strategic: Aligned with business goals
And we’re proud to be part of the solution.
AI Skills are Human Skills
AI isn’t magic. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s only as good as the person using it.
Building AI Skills means building confidence, curiosity, and culture. It means making sure everyone, not just the loudest voices, gets a seat at the table.
So let’s stop treating AI like a threat. Let’s treat it like a teammate.
The AI skills gap isn’t just a tech problem. It’s a leadership problem. A workforce problem. A national competitiveness problem. And it’s one we can solve – if we act now.
So whether you’re a CEO, a team leader, or just someone who’s curious about the future, it’s time to get serious about AI skills.
And if you need a nudge in the right direction, start by watching our webinar. It’s packed with insights, inspiration, and a few uncomfortable truths.
Or you can book in a free educational consultation and learn how to upskill your team in a way that best suits your business goals.
