Daniele Grassi
CEO, General Assembly
As AI accelerates, so must our collective readiness to use it wisely. Learn how we can keep up and continuously harness the full capabilities of AI today.
AI has moved from buzzword to business essential faster than almost anyone predicted. However, as adoption surges, many teams are being asked to build the future with tools they barely understand — or haven’t learned.
This gap between ambition and ability isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about people feeling left behind. In boardrooms and break rooms alike, a familiar question is echoing: Who gets to succeed in the age of AI? The answer, we believe, must be: everyone.
AI belongs to more than engineers
The skills to work with AI can’t be relegated to tech teams alone. Designers, marketers, HR professionals, operations leads — everyone has a stake in how AI shapes their roles. Yet, according to the World Economic Forum, over 60% of workers will require upskilling by 2027, much of it AI-related.
That AI training remains a stumbling block. According to our recent survey of nearly 400 business leaders across the UK and the US, only 20% of companies in the UK, and only 16% in the US, regularly offer AI training. At General Assembly, we’ve seen firsthand how expanding access to AI skills can shift outcomes for individuals, teams and the broader economy.
“When people across functions understand how to use AI tools responsibly and confidently, it unlocks real, immediate value,” notes Jeffrey Bergin, Chief Learning Officer at General Assembly. “This isn’t just about futureproofing; it’s about improving work today.”
The future of work shouldn’t
be something that just happens.
It should be something we build
intentionally and inclusively.
Practical, accessible, responsible AI
The speed of AI adoption has left many employees overwhelmed and undersupported. Our focus is on bringing clarity to a space that too often feels exclusive or intimidating. That starts with practical learning: how to prompt ethically; how to evaluate outputs critically; and how to apply AI in real-world workflows. For example, teaching a marketing team how to use AI to analyse customer sentiment without unintentionally reinforcing bias.
“AI isn’t a magic wand; it’s a mirror,” says Jourdan Hathaway, Chief Business Officer at General Assembly. “It reflects the data, assumptions and ethics we bring to it. That’s why training must go beyond tools and speak to values.”
The AI Academy, a programme we launched to help businesses scale AI skills across teams, is designed around that philosophy: practical, role-based skills, taught through a human lens. It’s AI for all. We’ve built pathways for everyone from frontline managers to senior strategists — because AI readiness shouldn’t hinge on your job title or technical background.
Upskilling for a shared future
The future of work shouldn’t be something that just happens. It should be something we build intentionally and inclusively. We’re not alone in this mission. Across industries like technology, healthcare, education and public service, forward-thinking companies and organisations across the globe are aligning around a shared goal of making AI skills a public good, not just a competitive edge. It’s encouraging to see this momentum, and our AI Academy was built to drive even more action.
Practical AI training makes people feel more confident and capable in their roles. We’re committed to making AI skills accessible to everyone. Because if we want AI to serve everyone, we must ensure everyone knows how to use it. That starts with investing in people, not just platforms.
Let’s build the future of work together
This is a rare moment. We have the chance to shape how AI enters our workplaces. Not as a source of fear, but as a tool for growth. The question isn’t whether your teams will use AI. It’s whether they’ll be ready to use it well.
Let’s make sure they are.
