Over the past few months, I’ve been keeping a close eye on how UK organisations are approaching artificial intelligence. One piece of research that recently caught my attention highlighted something I’ve been sensing in conversations across the industry: businesses are incredibly eager to adopt AI, but many are struggling to turn that ambition into meaningful, scalable impact.
According to a recent study of UK IT leaders, the adoption of AI is now a key priority and in demand across enterprises, with nearly four in five organisations reporting strong appetite from their business teams. That aligns with what we’re seeing every day – AI is no longer a niche experiment; it’s a strategic priority. Yet despite this enthusiasm, the same research revealed a significant gap between ambition and execution. Only a small proportion of organisations have fully implemented AI across their IT functions, and even fewer are seeing measurable, organisation wide results.
This disconnect isn’t about the technology itself. In fact, many leaders reported that AI is already improving scalability, decision-making and operational efficiency within digital and tech. The issue mainly lies in the operating models, skills, governance structures and cultural readiness required to make AI sustainable.
And this is where the findings really resonated with me.
The real barrier isn’t AI... it’s capability
The research pointed to a familiar challenge: a shortage of AI‑ready skills. More than 65% of organisations expect increased demand for technical resources, yet upskilling remains under‑prioritised. This creates a widening execution gap – one that technology alone cannot solve.
At Corecom Tech Academy, we see this every day. Businesses want to move fast with and keep on top of AI, but without the right skills capability, governance foundations, and adaptability for future change, even the most promising pilots struggle to scale. It’s also important to note that AI isn’t a simple ‘plug‑and‑play’ upgrade. It’s a transformation that reshapes people, processes and workplace culture.
Organisations don’t just need tools. They need teams who understand how to use them responsibly, confidently and creatively. To successfully close this execution gap, it’s essential for businesses to also invest in:
- Skills capability, equipping teams with practical, applied AI literacy.
- Governance readiness, ensuring safe, compliant and accountable use.
- Change adaptability, building cultures that can evolve as AI evolves.
Why AI Operating models matter
One of the most striking insights from the study was that many organisations still treat AI as a technology project rather than an operating model shift. When AI initiatives fail, it’s rarely because the model wasn’t technically capable – it’s because the organisation wasn’t structurally prepared to adopt it.
That means:
- Clear governance from day one
- Strong data foundations
- Cross functional collaboration
- Continuous training and capability building
- A user first approach to design and deployment
These aren’t “nice to haves” – they’re the backbone of successful AI adoption.
What this means for the future workforce
The findings reinforce something I’ve been saying for a long time: the organisations that will win with AI are the ones investing in people just as much as technology. The demand for AI literate talent is accelerating, and the skills gap is widening. Without a workforce that understands how to build, manage and apply AI responsibly, even the most ambitious strategies will stall.
This is exactly why we built Corecom Tech Academy – to help organisations close that capability gap. Whether it’s developing early career talent, upskilling existing teams or embedding AI ready skills across the business, the need for structured, practical learning has never been greater.
Turning ambition into action
What I found most encouraging in the research is that organisations want to move beyond pilots. They’re ready for AI to deliver real value. But readiness requires investment – not just in tools, but in people, processes and long term capability.
If your organisation is feeling this same tension between ambition and execution, you’re not alone. The gap is real, but it’s also solvable. With the right operating model and the right skills in place, AI can become more than a strategic aspiration – it can become a measurable driver of growth, efficiency and innovation. Our Academy is committed to helping organisations make that leap.
If you’re exploring how to build AI capability within your teams, I’d be happy to share what we’re seeing across the industry and how we can support your journey.
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