As 97% of companies prioritise upskilling their workforces, research reveals that there is a vital human skills gap in maximising the potential of AI and Cloud solutions. Switzerland-based SoftwareOne, a global software and cloud solutions provider, has published findings from its Cloud Skills Report, highlighting the need to bridge the ‘Human-Machine divide’. It says the biggest pain point for firms in their digital transformation efforts is guaranteeing that employee skills growth matches the rapid rate of innovation. More than half (53%) report that they have inadequate skills to leverage AI – and 50% of organisations are struggling to find AI-skilled employees.
According to the research, prioritising close collaboration between human workers and advanced technologies is paramount amid a widening cloud skills gap and apprehension about AI. This symbiotic relationship is likely to redefine organisational dynamics, as 97% of businesses wish to prioritise upskilling their workforce.
A lack of cloud skills has increased the individual workloads of 62% of respondents, leading to significant repercussions, including burnout and high turnover rates within departments. At least a quarter of global IT managers (27%) are contemplating quitting because of the skills gap – and 84% of companies perceive IT retention issues as a significant challenge.
But conflicts within teams aggravate these retention issues – 26% of respondents said that the cloud skills gap has caused tension between themselves and their boss while 46% say it has caused tension within the team. And 18% of respondents feel uncomfortable asking for additional training to advance their skills. Brian Duffy, CEO at SoftwareOne, said: “Rapid advancements in AI and generative AI offer exciting prospects for companies worldwide, but organisations are sitting on a ticking talent time bomb if they don’t upskill and retrain their workforces now to fulfil the potential of AI.
“Our research shows that the overwhelming majority of organisations are planning to upskill their IT teams in order to fast-track AI adoption and accelerate the cloud journey. By putting people at the centre and showcasing how these innovations can enhance their roles rather than pose threats, organisations can cultivate a culture of empowerment and optimism that helps to increase retention, boost productivity and make work more meaningful.”
