New report: AI skills investment could add £80 billion to UK economy
Building an AI-ready Workforce
September 2026
The Rigby Foundation, chaired by Steve Rigby, has today published a major new report, Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition, in partnership with Learning and Work Institute.
The research highlights both the scale of the AI opportunity and the urgent need to invest in workforce skills if the UK is to realise its full economic potential. The report estimates that comprehensive AI upskilling could unlock £80 billion of economic value by 2035, but warns that significant skills gaps remain.
Drawing on employer research, economic modelling and expert input the report recommends five practical actions to accelerate AI readiness across the workforce:
Incentivising employer investment in skills through a new Skills Tax Credit;
Establishing a dedicated AI Skills Intelligence Unit;
Building AI-ready leadership and management capability;
Accelerating the development of technical qualifications and AI-ready training pathways; and
Introducing industry-recognised AI micro-credentials to support lifelong learning and workforce mobility.
The Rigby Foundation commissioned this research because we believe that technological progress should expand opportunity, not limit it. AI has the potential to create significant economic and social benefits, but only if people have the skills, confidence and support needed to participate in the transition. The report's recommendations are intended to help government, employers and educators ensure those opportunities are shared as widely as possible.
The Rigby Foundation are grateful to the team at Learning and Work Institute, the Advisory Group and the many employers, educators and experts who contributed their insight and expertise to this work. Their contributions have helped shape a practical and evidence-based roadmap for preparing the UK's workforce for the age of AI.
You can download a copy of the full report here: https://www.rigbyfoundation.org.uk/building-an-ai-ready-workforce/#page-1