Search Results for: skills

Lack of skills hampering business growth say UK CEOs

Lack of skills training is hampering growth say business leaders

Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of UK employers say a lack of key skills is hampering their growth prospects – with construction, mining, engineering and energy companies reporting the most chronic shortage of skilled employees. Yet, according to a PwC global survey, while three out of four UK CEOs said creating a skilled workforce should be the Government’s highest priority only a third intended to do anything about it for the coming year. Instead, they see it as a longer-term goal; with 70 per cent of respondents saying they plan to increase investment in their workforce over the next three years. (more…)

Over-reliance on Gen-AI may weaken moral insights, understanding, and know-how

Over-reliance on Gen-AI may weaken moral insights, understanding, and know-how

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) has become a routine part of working life but over-reliance on the technology may erode managers’ ability to build moral insights, contextual understanding and know-how to do get a job done, according to a new study from the University of Bath.Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) has become a routine part of working life but over-reliance on the technology may erode managers’ ability to build moral insights, contextual understanding and know-how to do get a job done, according to a new study from the University of Bath. The research, published in the Academy of Management Review, explores how tools such as ChatGPT may affect what academics call “managerial phronesis” – the practical wisdom managers develop through real-world experience, reflection and human interaction. (more…)

Why the organisations seeing real returns from agentic AI are empowering employees, not cutting jobs

Why the organisations seeing real returns from agentic AI are empowering employees, not cutting jobs

The launch of the UK Government’s AI Skills Compact reflects an important shift in how policymakers and businesses are thinking about artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing AI simply as a route to greater efficiency or reduced headcount, leaders are starting to recognise that long-term competitiveness will depend just as much on equipping people with the skills to work alongside AI as investing in the technology itself. (more…)

Is resilience a personality trait or a flaw in workplace design?

Is resilience a personality trait or a flaw in workplace design?

Resilience is often ascribed to the individual, but are there other ways we could look at the issue, asks Carl LyonsResilience must be one of the most misunderstood issues affecting businesses right now. It’s used whenever people are struggling, and almost always aimed at the individual – be tougher, manage your stress, build a bit more grit. During countless conversations with leaders and teams over the last few years it has been seen that those words do real damage to people who are trying hard to do their best. When tiredness is no longer fixed by a weekend, when feedback lands as a threat, and when change is met with a sigh, it gets recorded under ‘poor personal resilience’, effectively telling people the problem is with them. I don’t think it is. I think we’re looking in the wrong place. (more…)

Productivity gains from workplace AI mean little if they erase professional judgment

Productivity gains from workplace AI mean little if they erase professional judgment

Speed can become a dangerous proxy for the value of workplace AI when leaders stop asking what happened to the judgment behind the work.The strongest case for workplace AI rarely begins with a dramatic breakthrough. It begins with ordinary time savings: a report drafted faster, a plan assembled in minutes or a first pass produced without the usual blank-page delay. Those gains matter. Yet speed can become a dangerous proxy for value when leaders stop asking what happened to the judgment behind the work. (more…)

London named world’s most intelligent city in new AI benchmark report from BCG

London named world’s most intelligent city in new AI benchmark report from BCG

London has been ranked as the world's most intelligent city in the inaugural Intelligent Cities Index from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reflecting the capital's ability to translate AI, digital technology and innovation into economic opportunity and improved public services.London has been ranked as the world’s most intelligent city in the inaugural Intelligent Cities Index from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reflecting the capital’s ability to translate AI, digital technology and innovation into economic opportunity and improved public services. The study assessed 61 major cities across 39 countries against five measures of “intelligent city” maturity: resident outcomes, strategy, technology adoption, ways of working in government and enabling factors such as infrastructure, talent and investment. London topped the overall ranking ahead of Dubai, New York City, Washington DC and Amsterdam. (more…)

Resilience: the expanding global mandate for facility management

Resilience: the expanding global mandate for facility management

Throughout this decade, global challenges have shined a spotlight on the facility management (FM) industry and its professionals like never before.Throughout this decade, global challenges have shined a spotlight on the facility management (FM) industry and its professionals like never before. From pandemics to climate events and geopolitical instability, these challenges have tested organizations in unprecedented ways. While many debated the meaning of  terms like “the new normal,” facility managers demonstrated competence, strategic planning and decisive leadership to keep their organizations and people moving forward. From the C-suite to workers and visitors, organizations have become acutely aware of  FM’s influence as critical enablers  to ensure organizational, environmental and personal health. (more…)

UK architects arrive at AI ‘tipping point’ – and a new existential crisis

UK architects arrive at AI ‘tipping point’ – and a new existential crisis

Most architects don't think AI improves the quality of their work, and have become more pessimistic about their future as well as the long term impact on the profession as the tech reduces the number of entry level rolesThe Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the results of the third survey among its members into attitudes towards, and usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI).?It outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has changed, how its use has developed and how design professionals view the AI-influenced future. The poll found that while adoption is widespread, most respondents don’t think AI improves the quality of their work, and have become more pessimistic about their future as well as the long term impact on the profession as the tech reduces the number of entry level roles. (more…)

Business leaders expect AI to expand rather than shrink workforces, JLL report claims

Business leaders expect AI to expand rather than shrink workforces, JLL report claims

Most senior business leaders expect artificial intelligence to lead to workforce growth and job redesign rather than widespread redundancies, according to new global research from commercial real estate firm JLLMost senior business leaders expect artificial intelligence to lead to workforce growth and job redesign rather than widespread redundancies, according to new global research from commercial real estate firm JLL. The company’s 2026 Future of Work Survey, based on responses from more than 2,200 C-suite executives and corporate real estate leaders across 21 countries, found that 60 percent of respondents expect their organisations to increase headcount over the coming years, while the same proportion believe AI will reinvent existing roles rather than replace them. The findings challenge what JLL says are widespread concerns about AI-driven job losses, although the report acknowledges that some roles are still expected to disappear as organisations adopt the technology. (more…)

Most organisations are investing in AI. Far fewer are preparing leaders for it

Most organisations are investing in AI. Far fewer are preparing leaders for it

Businesses are racing to adopt new technologies, but many still lack the leadership frameworks, behaviours and organisational confidence needed to turn AI into meaningful, scaled value.The gap between AI adoption and leadership readiness is becoming one of the defining challenges facing organisations today. According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workforce report, only one in five employees believe their manager actively supports their team’s use of artificial intelligence, while just one in four say their organisation has communicated a clear strategy for integrating the technology into work. While investment in AI continues to accelerate, leadership capability is struggling to keep pace. Businesses are racing to adopt new technologies, but many still lack the leadership frameworks, behaviours and organisational confidence needed to turn AI into meaningful, scaled value. (more…)

AI can automate work, but it can’t automate trust

AI can automate work, but it can’t automate trust

As AI becomes more involved in decisions around hiring, performance and progression, employees are asking more questions about how those tools are being used and where the boundaries should sitBusinesses are moving quickly to bring artificial intelligence into the workplace, exploring how it can support everything from recruitment and workforce planning to performance management and employee services. Employee confidence in this technology, however, is struggling to keep up. Research suggests only 46 percent of people say they trust AI systems, while almost a third (31 percent) of employees are concerned they could be replaced by the technology. (more…)

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

A new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job rolesA new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job roles. The survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 58 percent believe their industry is changing faster than before, yet only 51 percent said they are currently engaged in upskilling. The findings have been released as part of Arden University’s Future of Work and Learning Report. (more…)