AI isn't killing jobs yet: Over 50% of businesses say AI is creating roles as massive upskilling push begins

A new survey reveals that over half of UK businesses report AI has created new roles within their companies. At the same time, 58% of firms plan to boost their investment in AI skills over the next year. Some companies are even budgeting up to £250,000 for AI training.

Despite this spending, 31% of businesses admit their current workforce still lacks the AI skills needed to match their needs. To address this gap, 43% of firms are rolling out formal AI skills training, while 32% are expanding existing programs. A smaller share of companies, 24%, are focusing on AI skills during hiring and creating entirely new AI roles.

The survey found that AI usage varies widely across firms, with larger businesses being more likely to employ AI. Companies with annual turnover above £10 million report AI usage at 79%, compared to smaller and domestic-only competitors. Larger firms are also seeing significant productivity gains from AI, leading to continued investment.

Amanda Murphy, CEO of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, emphasizes that AI holds transformative potential similar to the internet, but success depends on building internal skills, culture, and confidence rather than just purchasing new technology. The findings suggest that AI adoption is accelerating faster than the workforce skills needed to support it, and whether businesses can bridge this skills gap quickly enough will determine which companies gain a competitive advantage.