Innovate UK has launched a national AI Skills Hub to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence, create jobs and drive sector-wide growth. The new digital marketplace connects tech businesses, developers, employers and training providers, offering curated learning resources and real-world AI use cases.
Focusing initially on four sectors—agriculture and food processing, construction, creative industries, and transport and logistics—the Hub is part of Innovate UK’s BridgeAI Programme. It provides funding, expert support and collaborative opportunities, while also embedding principles of ethical AI, transparency and data privacy.
The launch comes as the demand for AI expertise outpaces supply. PwC’s 2025 AI Jobs Barometer shows that UK industries with higher AI adoption are achieving nearly fivefold productivity growth compared to others. AI-related job postings have grown 3.6 times faster than the market average, and employers are offering wage premiums of 14 per cent for relevant skills.
However, over 73 per cent of employers in key sectors report shortages in areas such as AI systems, machine learning, ethics and governance. Cost and difficulty accessing appropriate training are cited as the main barriers, with only 17 per cent of employees resisting AI upskilling. The AI Skills Hub seeks to address these challenges by aligning training more closely with employer needs and reducing access barriers.
The Hub also responds to deeper shifts in the nature of work. AI is not just automating tasks but reshaping entire roles, demanding new skills like critical thinking and collaboration. “AI is here to stay, it will develop faster and faster, and presents huge opportunities for employers and employees alike,” said Zlatina Loudjeva, partner at PwC UK. She urged workers to take charge of their own development, adding: “Providing these essential skills is not only key to the UK's economic stability and prosperity but also to promoting greater social cohesion.”
The Hub’s sector focus targets industries with untapped AI potential. While finance and IT have already seen substantial productivity gains, construction, agriculture and manufacturing lag behind. Innovate UK aims to bridge this divide by helping high-potential but under-digitised sectors catch up.
By uniting employers, tech firms and educators, the Hub creates a collaborative ecosystem for AI upskilling. This integrated approach not only builds technical capacity but also embeds responsible innovation from the outset, crucial for maintaining public trust as AI becomes more widespread.
Innovate UK’s AI Skills Hub is a timely and inclusive initiative that supports both economic growth and social equity. By addressing training gaps and fostering ethical innovation, it helps position the UK at the forefront of global AI leadership.
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