How to Build AI Skills, Standards and Education at Work
20 Sept 2025
Learn how to develop AI skills, set workplace standards, and educate your workforce for the AI-driven future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the distant future - it is a powerful tool shaping industries, enhancing workflows, and redefining job roles in real-time. However, this rapid evolution brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly for founder-led small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom. To remain competitive, businesses must adopt a forward-thinking approach to workforce preparation, ensuring their employees are AI-literate, adaptable, and empowered to work alongside intelligent technologies.
In this article, we explore how founder-led SMEs can leverage AI by focusing on workforce education, skills development, and standards. Drawing on insights from a transformative discussion on AI's role in the workplace, we will outline actionable strategies to bridge the skills gap, adapt to technological advancements, and create a culture of continuous learning.
Why AI Literacy Will Define Your Competitive Edge
The speaker emphasised a bold claim: in the next five years, your biggest competitive differentiator won’t just be AI tools - it will be your workforce’s knowledge of how to use those tools effectively. This insight is especially relevant for SMEs that want to scale efficiently and stay ahead in fast-paced industries.
AI’s accelerated advancements have reshaped how businesses operate, from drug discovery being reduced from decades to months, to AI tools revolutionising industries like insurance, customer service, and supply chains. However, these tools are only as effective as the people using them. Without a workforce that understands AI fundamentals, even the most advanced technologies risk falling short of their potential.
The Risk of Failing to Upskill Employees
One key example shared in the discussion illustrated the perils of neglecting AI education. Consider a property insurance claims agent who is expected to use a cutting-edge AI tool for damage assessments but hasn’t been properly trained to use it. Without the necessary confidence and literacy, the agent may resist adopting the tool, worried it might replace their role. This results in inefficiency and a diminished return on the company’s AI investment. Such scenarios underline the importance of integrating workforce education into AI strategies - not as an afterthought, but as a top priority.
The Era of Continuous Learning: What It Means for SMEs
Historically, education was seen as a one-time event. You earned a degree or qualification, which often sustained a 40-year career. However, the landscape has fundamentally shifted in the AI era. Technologies evolve rapidly, with many becoming obsolete in just six months. This fast-paced cycle demands a new mindset: continuous learning.
For SMEs, this means creating opportunities for employees to learn and adapt dynamically. Training must go beyond traditional classroom approaches, incorporating personalised learning pathways, AI-driven coaching, and real-world application.
Education That Leverages AI Itself
AI can be both the subject and the method of training. For example, businesses can use AI-based platforms to provide tailored training experiences. These platforms can adapt to individual employees’ learning styles, whether they prefer videos, hands-on simulations, or interactive quizzes. Think of an AI-powered coach guiding a warehouse employee through a real-time scenario, such as managing a spill efficiently, or helping an accountant master forecasting tools.
Building Standards and Guardrails for AI Adoption
As AI becomes integral to business operations, robust standards and ethical guardrails are essential. The speaker likened the current state of AI adoption to driving a car on roads designed for horse-drawn carriages - there are no speed limits, seat belts, or clear safety measures in place. Without these safeguards, businesses risk accidents, inefficiencies, and mistrust.
The Role of Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance
A recent survey cited in the discussion revealed that risk management and regulatory compliance are among the biggest obstacles to AI adoption. For founder-led SMEs, this means developing frameworks to ensure AI tools are used responsibly. Employees should be trained not only in how to use AI but also in recognising and mitigating risks. For example, a marketing intern evaluating a new AI tool should know what questions to ask about data privacy and who to consult within the organisation if concerns arise.
By establishing clear standards and fostering a culture of responsibility, SMEs can build trust in AI within their teams and across their industries.
AI and Humans: A Collaborative Future
The fear that AI will replace human jobs has been a persistent narrative. However, the speaker argued convincingly that AI is a tool to enhance, not erase, human contributions. The reality is that jobs will evolve, and new roles will emerge - just as roles like "data scientist" and "mobile developer" did in previous technological revolutions.
The key takeaway? AI won't take your job. But a human who knows how to use AI might. This highlights the importance of proactive training strategies. Employees who embrace AI tools and integrate them into their workflows will have a competitive edge in their careers, just as companies that foster AI-savvy workforces will lead their industries.
Actionable Strategies for Founder-Led SMEs
To thrive in the AI era, UK SMEs must focus on three core areas: workforce education, skills development, and standards. Here are actionable steps to get started:
1. Invest in Continuous AI Education
Create a culture of lifelong learning by offering regular training sessions and workshops.
Partner with AI education providers to deliver tailored programmes for different roles.
2. Use AI for Skills Development
Leverage AI tools to personalise training pathways and provide real-time coaching.
Encourage employees to experiment with AI tools in their roles through safe, sandbox environments.
3. Establish Robust Standards
Develop internal policies and frameworks to guide AI use responsibly.
Train employees on risk management and regulatory compliance to minimise exposure.
4. Create AI Literacy Across All Levels
Ensure all employees, regardless of role, understand the basics of AI relevant to their industry.
Provide role-specific training, such as AI tools for accountants, sales professionals, or warehouse staff.
5. Foster Collaboration
Encourage teams to view AI as a collaborative partner, not a competitor.
Include employees in conversations about AI adoption, gathering their input and addressing concerns.
Key Takeaways
Workforce knowledge of AI will be a critical competitive advantage in the coming years.
SMEs must prioritise continuous learning to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI technologies.
AI tools are most effective when employees are properly trained and confident in their use.
Education must go beyond theory - personalised, AI-driven training can make learning more engaging and impactful.
Robust standards and guardrails are essential to build trust and mitigate risks in AI adoption.
AI won’t replace humans, but employees who are AI-savvy will outperform their peers.
Safe experimentation, such as sandbox environments, can help employees explore AI tools responsibly.
Conclusion
As the AI-driven future unfolds, the organisations that succeed will be those that invest in their people. Founder-led SMEs in the UK are uniquely positioned to be agile and innovative, empowering their teams to harness AI’s transformative potential. By embedding continuous education, fostering collaboration, and establishing robust standards, businesses can build a workforce prepared not just to adapt to change, but to lead it.
The path forward is clear: invest in your employees, embrace lifelong learning, and create a culture where AI and humans can thrive together. The decisions made today will shape your organisation’s trajectory for years to come - so make them count.
Source: "Navigating tomorrow: Education, skills & standards in an AI-driven workplace" - AI for Good, YouTube, Aug 14, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syj1XZ6Vbq0
Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.