AI technology is playing a significant role in shaping cloud strategies for UK IT leaders, who are focusing on investing in cloud technology but are also encountering notable challenges.
A recent survey conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Red Hat involved 609 IT managers across the UK and other major markets.
Over 80% of IT managers are facing a critical shortage of AI skills, particularly in areas like generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and data science, showing an increase from 72% last year.
Almost all respondents (98%) recognize the benefits of utilizing enterprise open source solutions for AI, citing advantages such as accelerated innovation and cost-efficiency.
Concerns arise with AI-driven cloud strategies, with 43% of leaders expressing worries about data privacy and 39% about sustainability impacts related to energy consumption.
Top priorities for IT managers include cloud-native application development and the evolution of cloud strategies, with UK businesses anticipated to significantly enhance cloud investments by up to 50% in 2025.
Internal silos present a major barrier to cloud adoption, as 96% of leaders acknowledge this issue. Furthermore, escalating cloud costs are a growing concern, with three out of five businesses reporting increased spending, and nearly 40% noting cost hikes exceeding 25%.
Laura Lodwick, Chief Talent Officer at AND Digital, emphasized the importance of investing in both AI technology and skilled personnel to oversee its development and maximize its potential.
She mentioned, “AI requires a broader skillset encompassing data, soft skills, and ethics to ensure that models are trained and utilized in a trustworthy manner, especially when influencing business decision-making. As businesses leverage AI to support cloud and other technology initiatives, upskilling and reskilling employees to comprehend and drive AI development should be a primary focus to mitigate risks during implementation.”
“It’s positive to see business leaders recognizing the value that AI can bring in terms of accelerating innovation and cost-efficiency, but this must be balanced with a people-centric and innovation-driven approach.”
Interested in learning more about cybersecurity and cloud technology from industry experts? Explore the Cyber Security & Cloud Expo events in Amsterdam, California, and London. Discover additional upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.
