Dive Brief:

• More than 40% of respondents to a new survey said their enterprise IT personnel don’t have the skills required to implement and support artificial intelligence and machine learning.

• The Tech Pro Research survey found only 28% of respondents said they have some experience with AI or machine learning.

• Most respondents plan to use AI and machine learning technologies at work in the next few years, but that could prove difficult with lacking implementation experience. 

Dive Insight:

The survey indicates a significant knowledge gap companies will need to fill for AI to take off as expected. Not only will businesses need experts in the technology itself, they’ll also need people that know the best ways for businesses to take advantage of the technology to improve competitiveness.

AI market revenues are expected to grow 487% in less than five years, as nearly every industry looks for ways to embed AI technology into all types of enterprise applications and processes, according to a recent IDC study. 

The White House has also expressed concerns about the lack of AI talent. Last week, at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing, both Washington policymakers and AI experts agreed that a lack of tech talent would be one of the leading reasons why the rest of the world could overtake the U.S. when it comes to AI technology.