Cutting-edge tech and digital skills key to retaining talent

Research finds that UK IT leaders see the value of AI, yet employees’ emerging technical, and skill demands, and the career expectations of younger staff, are all adding to the urgency of the business case.

New research commissioned by Microsoft reveals 40% of ITDMs feel that their organisation is falling behind in terms of technology, due to a lack of budget. This is despite ITDMs themselves seeing the value of key emerging technologies - 89% of ITDMs who use AI on a daily basis, say they would use it even more if they had the right tools.

The report, ‘The AI + Talent Equation', identifies the urgent need for ITDMs to build a business case for additional technological investment, not least to maintain a competitive edge, but as the report suggest, to also meet the emerging technical and skill demands of the workforce.

Employees demand quality tech

Based on surveys of 602 ITDMs and 1,029 employees, the research reveals concerns as to whether enterprise PC and devices portfolios are AI ready. One in four (25%) workers do not feel that their work PC is powerful enough to operate AI, with this figure rising to more than a third (35%) of Gen Z employees.

29% of employees surveyed believe their current PC or device is slowing them down in their day-to-day job, and more than a quarter (26%) say their work PC regularly crashes or freezes.

Digital skills needs coming to the fore

Yet the findings suggest that employees aren’t being equipped to succeed in an era of AI at large. Less than a quarter (24%) of Gen X feel they have the skills needed to leverage AI in their day-to-day work, with this figure rising to just over a third (36%) for staff generally, and 56% for Gen Z employees.

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, 60% of those currently looking to change employer say they would likely stay longer if their current company enabled them to develop more digital skills. The findings show that 1 in 2 Gen Z workers (50%) say they’re taking active steps to future proof their careers, and that Gen Z are twice as likely (41%) to be planning on switching companies, specifically to future proof their career than the average employee (19%).

Alan Slothower, Head of Surface Commercial, Microsoft UK, comments: "The rapid adoption of AI in the workplace necessitates higher specification technology and digital upskilling. For IT decision makers (ITDMs), it is imperative to prioritise and provide AI-ready PCs and effective training. Empowering staff in this way is especially important to younger generations, with these tools is crucial for retention and career engagement."

Over half of public sector IT leaders (58%) say skill and talent gaps are a top challenge to...
Quantum computing and related technologies like quantum AI are regarded as the next big wave after...
Transforming the digital employee experience with AI-powered insights and seamless IT management.
High-profile cyberattacks highlight a recurring issue: employees are often the weakest security...
New research from Ventrica shows that UK companies can’t afford to replace humans with AI in...
Kubernetes has firmly transitioned from an emerging technology into a core part of enterprise...
Findings from ‘Unlocking Growth in the Mid-Market: The Node4 Report’ point to a lack of...
A new survey commissioned by Expereo exposes the true roadblocks to UK AI plans - poor...