AI Skills in Work and Life

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned the AI Skills for Life and Work research programme.

AI Skills in Work and Life

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned the AI Skills for Life and Work research programme. The project sought to understand the AI skills needed by individuals, employers and the wider workforce, and to identify how the UK can build the capabilities required to support economic growth, productivity and inclusive participation in an increasingly AI-enabled society.

Beginning in November 2023 and concluding in March 2025, the programme was led by Ipsos in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute, the University of Warwick and Perspective Economics. The research culminated in a suite of 11 reports providing one of the most comprehensive assessments of AI skills needs undertaken in the UK.

Our approach

Drawing on expertise across economic analysis, social research, behavioural science and public engagement, Ipsos led a multidisciplinary programme designed to examine AI skills from multiple perspectives. The research explored the skills required both in the workplace and in everyday life, recognising that AI adoption extends far beyond specialist technical professions. [gov.uk]

To build a robust evidence base, the programme combined a wide range of research methods, including:

  • Public and employer surveys.
  • Job vacancy analysis.
  • Patent analysis.
  • Skills forecasting.
  • Delphi studies with experts.
  • Public dialogue and deliberative engagement.
  • Literature reviews.
  • Strategy and advisory consultations.

The programme brought together evidence from citizens, employers, policymakers, educators and subject-matter experts, enabling Ipsos to develop a holistic view of current and future AI skills needs across the UK.

What we found

Here are some of the key findings: 

  • AI skills aren’t just technical. For most people, the critical gap is in skills for understanding – judging accuracy, managing risk, protecting privacy and recognising AI-generated content.
  • Confidence lags far behind awareness. While almost everyone has heard of AI and many are already using it, only a minority feel confident doing so at work or in daily life.
  • Future demand is broad, not niche. Growth will be driven less by new “AI jobs” and more by existing roles taking on AI responsibilities – making foundational skills essential across the workforce.
  • There’s a real risk of widening inequalities if skills development remains concentrated among a small, highly educated group.

Impact

The research provided DSIT and DCMS with a comprehensive evidence base on the UK's AI skills landscape and future requirements. By combining economic analysis, labour market intelligence, behavioural research and deliberative engagement, Ipsos helped policymakers understand not only which skills are needed, but how those needs differ across groups, sectors and contexts, and how those needs might change in the next 5 to 10 years.

The findings have already informed wider government activity on AI capability-building. In January 2026, the government launched AI Skills Boost, an initiative designed to support the development of AI skills among up to 10 million UK workers by 2030. The programme's emphasis on supporting a broad range of AI users reflects key findings from the research, including the importance of foundational AI capabilities alongside specialist technical skills. the wide relevance required to bring the target of 10 million trained in reach.

Further reading

AI Skills for Life and Work: Summary report published by DSIT and DCMS.

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