# UK Highlights AI Workforce Skills Gap

Coursera’s AI-Human Skills Synergy Index ranks the United Kingdom 19th among 98 countries and sixth among G7 members. The index reports a sharp gap between the UK’s government and technology readiness, at the 97th percentile, and learner AI proficiency, at the 24th percentile. For public-sector buyers and contractors, this points to a potential need for workforce training that pairs AI skills with security, governance, and critical thinking; the report identifies no specific procurement or funding opportunity.

- Buyers can use the readiness gap as a signal to assess whether workforce development plans address practical AI proficiency alongside governance and security skills.
- Training providers may find opportunities to present integrated AI and human-skills offerings to public-sector clients, but the signal does not identify an active solicitation or funding source.
- Contractors supporting government AI adoption should account for workforce capability needs when shaping implementation and enablement proposals.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of the United Kingdom

### Key Quotes
> As AI infrastructure continues to be deployed faster than the workforce capabilities needed to use it effectively, our findings emphasize that AI proficiency will yield organizational value only when paired with deliberate investment in human skills.
> — Anthony Salcito, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera

### Sources
- [UK ranks 19th for AI readiness as skills gap bites](https://itbrief.co.uk/story/uk-ranks-19th-for-ai-readiness-as-skills-gap-bites) - IT Brief UK