Matthew Boyle
Research shows that the vast majority of UK IT professionals are worried about the government’s plans for the use of generative AI ( GenAI ) as the Global AI Safety Summit gets ready to convene leaders from around the world in November.
The Global AI Safety Summit, which will take place at Bletchley Park from November 1 to 2, 2023, will discuss the dangers of artificial intelligence and seek to create a favorable regulation environment for international use. However, almost 75 % of IT teams think there is a disconnect between the government’s ambitions to lead AI globally and the available online skills.
93 % of UK IT professionals are concerned about advancements in generative AI, according to the research report published by publisher and conference organizer O’Reilly. According to the study, half of IT professionals feel” somewhat” confident that their organizations have the skills necessary to comply with regulations, while 25 % say they are not confident in their organization’s current capabilities to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
The study, which was carried out by Censuswide in September 2023, examined the investment made in the training and development of GenAI as well as possible problems for widespread use. It reviewed 500 UK IT professionals.
According to the data, 44 % of businesses confirmed that they intended to spend between £25, 001 and £50, 000 on generative AI systems over the following 12 months. Over half of the organizations invested more than £15,001 in the field.
The research suggests that workplace policies and training programs are not keeping up, despite organizations ‘ current and anticipated investments. IT professionals are worried about the lack of AI-related training for all employees, yet with the UK government’s National AI Strategy to increase the use of artificial intelligence, as it could pose serious security risks.
In fact, 32 % of employees outside the IT department have only received minimal training, and 36 % have received no training at all regarding GenAI and its effects on the workplace, according to IT teams. According to the survey, 30 % of staff members in IT departments have not received any training at all, while 40 % have received scant training on how to use generative AI to improve current IT services and practices.
Organizations should continue to invest in conceptual AI to remain modern and aggressive, said Alexia Pedersen, vice president of EMEA at O’Reilly, in response to the study’s findings.
They must also make sure that employees receive the proper training and have strong workplace policies in place. If Britain wants to achieve its global goals, it must take steps to ensure honest and safe AI deployments in addition to improving recruitment and retention in the face of a growing skills gap.
According to the research, IT professionals are looking for external AI-related learning opportunities. 82 % of them would appreciate more opportunities for learning and development to advance their current positions, and 43 % have looked for outside training in the last year.
