King's College London

Artificial intelligence is no longer a peripheral concern for professional and executive education in the UK; it is rapidly becoming one of its central organising forces. As AI reshapes business models, decision-making processes and organisational structures, it is also redefining what it means to be ‘work-ready’ at senior and professional levels. While much of the public conversation on AI focuses on its societal and economic implications, less attention has been paid to how professionals practically build the capability to work with these technologies in real-world settings.

The economic stakes are high. It is estimated that AI could contribute £630 billion to the UK economy by 2035, reinforcing the UK’s position as the third largest AI market globally. Yet AI’s impact extends beyond productivity gains. It is fundamentally altering how learning is designed, delivered and consumed, particularly for experienced professionals who must continuously update their capabilities while remaining in work.

Research from King’s College London shows AI is already reshaping the UK job market, highlighting the need for coordinated action across education, training, and workforce development. Yet rapid technological change makes it difficult to keep curricula current, especially as evidence from the Institute for the Future estimates that 85% of future jobs do not yet exist.

A further challenge is the lack of a standard definition of 'AI skills'. According to the 2026 AI Skills for Life and Work Report, without clear frameworks or recognised credentials, learners often struggle to articulate what they have learned, while employers can find it difficult to assess the value of training. This lack of consistent language and signaling around AI competencies limits both learner progression and employer investment.

A new programme of work, ‘AI and Workforce Futures’, is King’s response to these challenges. This programme brings together the university’s world-leading AI research, policy expertise, employer partnerships and interdisciplinary strengths to shape how the UK prepares for the future of work as a national convenor of debate and policy insight. Additionally, King's is rolling out more targeted forms of professional education: from AI literacy for lawyers, to governance programmes for senior leaders, to specialist provision in public policy, national security and digital product development. These short, intensive courses on AI skills allow professionals to acquire specific AI competencies without stepping away from their roles, supporting continuous professional development in a fast-moving environment.

In an AI-intensive economy, professional education is no longer a supplement to work; it is part of the infrastructure that sustains it.