Majority of UK Leaders Express Confidence in Steering Change via AI Knowledge and Power
In a recent report titled 'How to Equip Your Leaders in an AI-Powered Era', released by LHH, a professional talent solutions provider, it has been revealed that UK leaders are focusing on AI readiness as a key priority for 2025.
The report, which focuses on HR and Leadership Development (LD) professionals and leaders in the UK, finds that 51% of leaders consider improving AI skills as their top leadership development priority for the next few years. This is in response to the rapidly evolving AI landscape, which requires leaders to have a deep understanding of AI to lead their organisations effectively.
However, the report also highlights challenges that UK leaders are facing in their AI readiness journey. One of the significant challenges is a resistance to change within organisations, with 31% of leaders battling this issue. Additionally, 31% of organisations still face resistance to AI integration.
Despite feeling prepared, leaders must assess and understand areas in their leadership development programmes that could be enhanced by AI. AI can optimise leadership development strategies and programmes to increase confidence, productivity, and plug skills gaps. Leaders must prepare their organisations and employees for the impact of AI and upskill them on its benefits.
Another challenge is the existence of significant skill gaps, with only about half of teams currently deemed adequately skilled in AI. To address this, leaders must invest in technology skills training, with 75% of leaders emphasising the need to upskill employees within 12-18 months.
Samantha Manning, Leadership Development Solutions Director at LHH UK&I, emphasises the need for leaders to understand the role of AI in their organisation. She states, "AI can play a crucial role in leadership development, and it's essential that leaders are equipped to navigate this new era."
The report also highlights regional disparities in AI adoption, with some areas leading in AI integration, while others take a more cautious approach. A people-first approach is emphasised by recognising the need for upskilling existing employees to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI technologies and addressing the skills shortage that impedes wider adoption.
The UK government supports this with strategic initiatives like the Compute Roadmap and AI Growth Zones, aiming to expand AI computing capacity twentyfold by 2030 to support advanced research and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure. The report concludes that by 2025, UK leaders prioritise AI readiness chiefly through cloud transformation, AI competency development, and data upskilling, viewing these as critical enablers of productivity and economic growth.
To read the full Leadership Development 2025 report, please visit the provided link.
[1] LHH (2022) Leadership Development 2025. [Online] Available at: [link] [2] UK Government (2021) AI Growth Zones. [Online] Available at: [link] [3] UK Government (2021) Compute Roadmap. [Online] Available at: [link] [4] UK Government (2021) AI Action Plan. [Online] Available at: [link]
Technology, artificial-intelligence: AI can optimize leadership development strategies and programs to increase confidence, productivity, and plug skills gaps. Leaders must prepare their organisations and employees for the impact of AI and upskill them on its benefits. Technological skills training, such as AI integration, is essential for leaders to address significant skill gaps, with 75% of leaders emphasising the need to upskill employees within 12-18 months.
