Talent shortage slowing uptake of AI

A shortage of talent is slowing the uptake of AI systems, prompting a need for organisations to devise training programmes that could rectify the problem in-house. Personnel Today reports that an international survey of chief information officers (CIOs) by consultancy Gartner has shown that the use of AI in all sectors of the global economy has risen sharply, but a lack of skilled staff to implement it is hindering further development. The growing maturity of AI systems has seen their use across organisations increase rapidly: 25% of businesses deployed them in 2017/18 rising to 37% this year, according to the survey. But, the report says, the the pool of available talent has, predictably, failed to keep pace with the rapid spread of AI with 54% of respondents to the survey saying that the skills shortage was the biggest challenge facing their organisation. Gartner gathered data from more than 3 000 CIO respondents in 89 countries.