His intervention follows a Gartner survey that revealed CEOs believe their executive teams lack AI savviness relative to what's needed, and a Cisco study that found many CEOs themselves fear AI-related knowledge gaps will hinder their decision-making in the boardroom (74%) and stifle growth (58%).

His call comes hot on the heels of Cambridge Spark partnering with Lloyds Banking Group to upskill over 200 of their senior leaders in AI through a bespoke six-month programme at the University of Cambridge, and as the firm sees demand for strategy-level AI upskilling ramping up.

Urma, whose Cambridge Spark featured on The Sunday Times Hundred list of the UK’s fastest growing companies last year, says executive-level AI upskilling will be critical to taking AI out of its tech-focused silo and seeding an AI innovation culture right throughout business.

Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma, Founder and Group CEO of Cambridge Spark, said: “Just like the internet became a revolutionary force once the entire workforce started to leverage it, AI’s real impact will be realised once it is deployed across all departments and functions of a business. And that requires the strategic leaders of all areas of business to have a strong understanding of how AI works, as well as how it can be implemented to drive return on investment.

“AI is no longer a niche focus for the CIO and CTO, but a priority for every executive. If you’re a CHRO, you need to understand how AI can transform your hiring processes and lift employee morale. If you’re the CDO, you need to understand the pivotal role that data plays in your company’s AI value chain.

“Equally importantly, if you’re a senior leader and you’re asking your employees to use AI to streamline their work, it’s critical that you lead from the front – you need to understand how it works, what your employees’ concerns might be, and provide strategy and direction. A CRO wouldn’t get away with demanding knowledge of a CRM platform if they didn’t themselves understand it, and the same standard must apply to AI.

“That’s why I’m calling for all executives to be sent on intensive in-person or virtual upskilling courses in AI. These courses should embed a foundational understanding of what AI is and how it works, and teach executives how to create effective AI strategies, spot opportunities for transformation, develop culture, and guide operational deployment.

“Of course, everyone in a workforce needs upskilling in AI to drive return on the heavy investments that are going into the technology. But right now, too much of the focus is on upskilling employees at the coal face, and not enough attention is paid to the people responsible for the strategy.”  

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