Survey reveals 48% of AI projects fail as UK firms lack critical skills

A new Pluralsight survey reveals that 95% of UK businesses claim to prioritize employee learning cultures, yet half of workers can’t find time for training and 93% need additional support. The disconnect between leadership intentions and execution is particularly acute in AI and machine learning, where skills shortages are now among the most severe across all technology domains.

The big picture: AI and machine learning has rapidly evolved from a low-priority skill to the third most critical capability for businesses, trailing only cybersecurity and cloud computing in terms of skills gaps.

Key findings from the survey: The research, which polled 500 tech professionals, IT executives, and business professionals across the UK, highlights significant execution challenges in workforce development.

• 48% of projects were abandoned partway through 2025 due to insufficient skills.
• Time constraints were cited as the primary barrier preventing companies from delivering training to employees.
• The survey authors describe AI/ML as becoming a “foundational tech skill” that is “deeply interwoven in all other tech domains.”

The financial impact: Companies are paying a steep price for failing to invest in upskilling their existing workforce.

• Hiring a new employee costs an average of $13,148.
• Upskilling current staff requires $8,151.
• This means recruitment is 1.6 times more expensive than internal development.

What they’re saying: Industry experts emphasize the urgent need for leaders to translate learning commitments into actionable programs.

• “The sudden rise of AI/ML from a low-urgency skill to a top three priority highlights the rapid evolution of technology, driven largely by the proliferation of generative AI,” said senior author Chris Jackson.
• “While nearly all executives acknowledge the strategic importance of a learning culture around technology, the fact that 95% of professionals still feel under-resourced reveals a clear gap between leadership intent and day-to-day enablement,” noted principal author Matt Lloyd Davies.

Why this matters: The convergence of AI with cloud platforms is creating new skill requirements that companies must address to remain competitive, with Jackson noting that “the most valuable skill set in the coming years will be at this intersection: understanding how to build, deploy, and secure AI systems within cloud environments.”