Businesses are only nibbling at the edges of what can be done with artificial intelligence, the power in the cloud, and how we go about building with new tech.

No-Code platforms and AI developed code are increasingly popping up as valid approaches – but at a more complex level, there is huge demand for people who know how to turn a product idea into a description of something that can be built, and the mechanisms for doing so. However, the digital skills gap is holding businesses back.

Peter Dale, Club Executive of Club Almeida in Glasgow, has more than 14 years industry experience leading development and digital change across a number of industries and sectors. Looking ahead at the next twelve months, Peter says “I think one of the key trends that will become more pronounced and visible in the coming years is in how software itself is built.

“During the most recent evolution of software, we have seen technology and tooling “right shift” towards end users which has meant that non-developers can now, relatively easily, build out apps and tools that aid their businesses.”

So, the tools are there but there aren’t enough people who know how to use them. In 2023 businesses need to take control of their data, know what it means, and hire people who can help turn information into action, and that goes beyond just technical proficiency. 

Fiona Burton, Club Executive at Club Grace in Edinburgh, says: “Humanising tech is the future of digital. We all hear people talking about AI, the Metaverse, Quantum computing and bots. What all these technologies have in common is a desire to reproduce (or surpass) human behaviour and ability. But there’s one thing missing – and that’s EI (emotional intelligence).

“The standout brands and businesses will fully embrace the intricacies of human behaviour (with technology) to deliver better products and services to their customers. With ‘off the shelf’ technical solutions becoming more credible and accessible, the real winners will no longer be the biggest. It’s David vs Goliath. And the odds are increasingly favoured on the former.” 

Recent research backs up just how big the skills gap and demand for the right people in the right roles is. Wel found that in the first seven months of 2022, the demand for digital skills was present in 23.5% of all vacancies. We estimate that the percentage of the current population that could fill those vacancies is only somewhere between 7% to 14%. The demand massively outweighs the supply. 

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Digital priorities for a business must come back to upskilling your workforce to implement and use the new tools and tech that will make you more efficient, and boost productivity. It isn’t enough just to get the digital tools in place.

Businesses must have the digital know-how in place too. We have been advising our customers since the inception of AND Digital and this will remain the key message for 2023 – the digital talent that your business needs already exists in your current teams! You need to create a learning environment where everyone can upskill their digital abilities, and develop ways of working across various groups.

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