The UK's shortage of skilled workers in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science is posing a significant threat to Labour leader Keir Starmer's plans to make the UK a global leader in AI.
Starmer has pledged to invest £1.5bn in AI research and development, but industry experts warn that the UK lacks the necessary talent to drive innovation in the sector. As a result, firms are being forced to look abroad for skilled workers, which could undermine the UK's ambitions to become a major AI player.
The UK's AI skills gap is attributed to a combination of factors, including a shortage of STEM graduates, inadequate training programs, and a lack of diversity in the tech industry. To address this issue, industry leaders are calling for increased investment in education and training programs, as well as initiatives to attract and retain top talent from around the world.
If the UK fails to address its AI skills gap, it risks falling behind other countries, such as the US, China, and France, which are already investing heavily in AI research and development. This could have significant implications for the UK's economy, as AI is expected to play a major role in driving growth and innovation in the coming years.
