What is the AI skills gap and why does it appear so often in board meetings?
Powered by AI tools, UK enterprises are making strides but still a lot of teams feel stranded. They have the software, but they do not have the knowledge to operate it effectively.
The real problem is not with technology. It is with people, skills, and trust. This is precisely the cause of the involvement of Cleartwo in projects turning AI from a buzzword to something practically useful.
The relevance of this to UK businesses in 2026
The thing is. AI is already inside your office, even if you did not plan for it. Employees are using tools on their own without notice. This unrecorded usage is called shadow AI.
So is your group not looking these days? Skating with AI tools and not getting the guidance? According to an EY UK study, a large number of companies inferiorly train their team which cost them up to 40% productivity gain. That is a substantial gap.
By 2026, Ai will not be optional. It is present in marketing, sales, customer care, finance, and IT. If your team doesn’t know how to use it, your competitors will move faster.
AI skills gap in simple terms
The AI skills gap appears in absences during the programming of which what the AI tools can do best is beyond what you, your team can use. Many people would erroneously think it represents coding but it’s not the case.
Knowing how to make the right queries to AI and when to trust an AI answer are the basal skills in this. This is the matter, it doesn’t concern coding.
Of course, this does not cover just AI but also cloud CRM systems, digital marketing solutions, and even basic reporting.
For example, one AI in a cloud CRM means all the follow-ups are better and data cleaner. This works best in connection with CRM platforms and analytics dashboards.
We often observe things like this at Cleartwo. Companies get tools. Still, they do not use them. If it is not a tool issue which is it?-A skills issue.
Your team’s main skills needed
Let me put this plainly. Your team does not all have to be AI experts. Various roles demand different expertise.
- AI knowledge basics
- Writing good prompts
- Data comprehension
- Critical thinking
- Process automation diagnosis
- Security comprehension
- Ethical assessment
With the help of these skills your business is automatized and AI-driven solutions are released without a hassle on your team.
Your team will come across the tools and platforms
AI chat, reporting dashboards, and marketing automation are tools that are already in place in your team. The hurdle is in using them together.
The most common is cloud CRM tools, AI marketing tools, and custom CRM systems. They are often free or cost about £30 per user each month. The issue is the rather awkward adoption process.
Cleartwo usually starts with an inventory of the tools you already have. The truth is many UK SMEs are shelling out money on tools they hardly ever use.
Steps to closing the gap
You may think that it’s quite a challenging task but it is not if you do it step by step.
- Audit the current tools and their usage
- Detect wasting time tasks
- Choose one use case
- Train a small group
- Document simple processes
- Roll out gradually
This is the strategy we apply at Cleartwo for AI adoption. Initially, there are small wins. Believe it or not, confidence grows rapidly.
Integration guide for real-world teams
AI needs to associate with other applications. For example, think of CRM, e-commerce marketing platforms, and reporting software.
To illustrate, AI linked to a CRM will enable better follow-ups and cleaner data. This goes along well with the CRM platforms and analytics dashboards.
Official instructions by SAP stress the value of having clean data before the AI integration phase begins. This is where many teams fail.
What we see that are working best
What is common is that teams always rush. They do not go through all the training steps before blaming AI.
However, this is what works.
- Put the focus on people
- Keep tools simple
- Train little, often
- Document all processes
- Review every month
- ROI to be the focus
This is the same for web dev, IT security for SMEs, and on the digital marketing side.
Cost for the UK SMEs
Let’s get down to this money matter. AI skills do not have to be a burden.
Workshops tend to be cost-effective as they usually fall within the range of £1,000 to £3,000. Additional tools will cost approximately £20 per user each month. The real cost stands at the time wasted if the skills are lacking.
Along with AI training, we frequently provide digital skills training as a means of getting teams to achieve results sooner.
Common mistakes to avoid
I notice these mistakes quite often.
- Purchasing too many tools
- Not a clear owner
- Security checks skipped
- No success metrics
- Ignoring staff feedback
- Wanting instant results
Even though it is powerful, AI still needs to follow the management and have clear objectives.
ROI measurement equilibrated
You do not need sophisticated formulas for this. The thing you should do first is to measure the time saved.
For instance, if AI saves your marketing team 10 hours a week, what do they now produce? More campaigns. Better content. Faster follow ups.
As reported by City AM, fishy productivity problems are other businesses’ mistake…
Team discussion health over 2026
AI technology transformation is whirlwind-like. Skills need game changes, too. Mastering one technology is not the objective.
Your objective is the change easily. Teams that have an understanding of AI can easily switch to other tools. This is extremely important for the long-term increase.
Cleartwo emphasizes the work of transforming the mental model via solutions like AI adoption and automation.
How Cleartwo bridges the gap
We are in partnership with the UK businesses on a day-to-day basis whether retail or professional services. The commonality is always there.
Administering teams with skill sets, AI acts as a lever, not a nightmare. Our approach combines strategy, training, and integration so that tools are used properly.
Picture the possibilities, if you are able to take advantage of AI to its fullest extent with your team’s assistance, your business can progress fast and make better and quicker decisions than others.
Frequently asked questions
Do small teams really need AI skills?
Yes. They are the ones honored the most because AI saves time and cuts manual work.
Is AI training just for technical staff?
No. sales, marketing, HR teams often see the largest gains.
How long will it take to see results?
Typically a few weeks if you select a clearly defined use case from the beginning.
Is AI safe for business data?
IF carefully managed and with the right IT security for businesses in place, then yes.
What should we do first?
Audit your current tools and then choose one process to improve.
