The UK risks falling behind on AI adoption unless ministers place greater emphasis on workforce skills. 

That’s according to Strive Training, which has warned that there is a widening gap between national ambition and practical readiness. The training provider has urged the UK Government to do more to build the skills required to benefit from AI, especially as larger firms look set to benefit more from the technology. 

The warning came following comments from Liz Kendall, who urged the public to embrace AI and ‘make it work for Britain’. To help deliver on those promises, the UK Government confirmed its first investments from a £500 million sovereign AI fund, which is intended to support British AI companies. That fund will include access to government-backed supercomputing resources for startups developing next generation technologies.

But some businesses will find success from the fund, Jonny Phillips, Managing Director at Strive Training has cautioned that a lack of practical skills risks slowing adoption on the ground and limiting the technology’s real-world impact. 

He commented, “The reality is that we have a capability gap. Businesses understand the potential of AI, but many don’t yet have the skills internally to implement it effectively. At the same time, workers are being told to embrace AI without being given the training to do so.”

That concern goes beyond productivity alone. As AI becomes more embedded across workplaces, employees are also becoming more conscious of the risks tied to job disruption, changing roles, and cybersecurity. Without access to training, that leaves many firms caught between strategic ambition and practical delivery.

Phillips added, “We’re at risk of creating a two speed economy when it comes to AI. Large organisations with the resources to invest in skills will move ahead quickly, while smaller businesses and undertrained teams struggle to keep up. That gap will only widen if we don’t act now.”

Skills gap or inclusion gap?

Strive Training argues that the debate should not just focus on Britain’s ability to fund AI development, but also on whether workers across the economy are being given a fair chance to adapt.

“There’s a real danger that AI amplifies existing inequalities in the workforce,” Phillips noted.

“Those with access to training will benefit, while others are left behind. Without intervention, we’re not just facing a skills gap, we’re facing an inclusion problem.”

The company is calling for a stronger focus on practical, job-ready training that helps both employers and staff apply AI in day-to-day roles, rather than relying solely on high-level policy commitments. That is likely to resonate with many across industry, where there is growing pressure to turn AI from a boardroom priority into something that actually delivers measurable results.

Phillips concluded, “The government has made a clear commitment to AI investment, but investment in technology must be matched by investment in people.

“We need coordinated action between government, employers, and training providers to deliver practical, accessible training at scale, and we need it now. Without that, the UK risks turning a £500 million investment into a missed opportunity.”