- Small businesses are less trust in AI than greater
- Half of the companies say AI has become critical
- Education and policies should be more comprehensive
New research has hardly claimed one in 10 (12%) SMEs have invested in AI-related training for their staff.
The report from the Institute of Coding revealed almost one in three (29%) SMEs now see a lack of training as their biggest obstacle to AI tools, with one more in two (52%) citing a lack of internal skills and knowledge as main batties.
In addition, the research portrays a troubled image for smaller companies compared to their larger colleagues – 82% of medium -sized businesses expressed confidence to work with AI compared to 37% of smaller businesses.
Small businesses are struggling to adopt AI
About one in two (51%) of the SMEs surveyed agreed that AI could now be perceived as critical, but only about half of these (27%) believe that they can safely and effectively implement AI tools.
As such, the Institute of Coding warns of a growing AI preparedness division between different types of companies launching its own free short AI courses aimed at all career levels.
Looking ahead, companies that are on the verge of being omitted by the AI Revolution are now calling for greater support from the government.
Three out of five (59%) call for national AI skills strategies to support companies of all sizes, with three-quarters asking for clearer guidance on AI skills they probably need in the next three to five years.
“This is not just about individual business success – it’s about ensuring that the entire British economy can participate in the AI transformation,” explained Professor Rachid Hourizi MBE, director of the Institute of Coding.
The report continues to explain that if micro -businesses and only dealers are not explicitly included in national plans, AI will be concentrated, not democratized.
