The GenAI Academy launches to tackle critical AI skills crisis as the UK faces a £15bn productivity gap

The GenAI Academy launches to tackle critical AI skills crisis as the UK faces a £15bn productivity gap

AI experts unite to address ‘people problem’ behind corporate implementation failures

The Gen AI Academy, the UK’s first expert-led platform dedicated to practical generative AI education, launches today to address the ‘people problem’ behind corporate implementation failures. As job postings requiring AI skills surge by 190%, UK businesses capture only a fraction of AI’s potential value, with employees saving a mere 2.2 hours weekly while 42% of initiatives are abandoned.

Founded by LinkedIn Learning AI expert Dave Birss and marketing innovator Helena McAleer, the academy brings together leading practitioners from across industries to tackle what its founders call “the missing piece” in digital transformation: human skills development.

“Most companies don’t have an AI problem—they have a people problem,” says Dave Birss, co-founder. “We’ve seen organisations rush to adopt tools whilst leaving teams unprepared. If you want to get value from AI, stop asking what the tools can do, and start asking what your people need.”

The academy’s expert roster includes Dr Lollie Mancey, whose research reframes leadership for a hybrid human-AI world; Hugo Pinto, who teaches organisations how to build practical use-case playbooks; and Karrie Sullivan, who brings psychology-based approaches to accelerating AI adoption. Also notably involved is Toju Duke, who spent a decade at Google leading Responsible AI programmes, alongside Rebecca Allen, an AI and Leadership Strategist who specialises in guiding senior executives through ethical AI implementation. The platform addresses the full spectrum of organisational challenges, from building ethical policies to driving cultural adoption.

“The conversation has moved beyond just ‘using the tools’ to building a culture of experimentation,” says Helena McAleer, co-founder. “CEOs make sweeping declarations about AI transformation but offer no meaningful support. The gap between executive vision and practical investment demonstrates that AI can only deliver if we meet it halfway.”

The Gen AI Academy offers comprehensive services addressing the entire AI-skills lifecycle: on-demand video training, live workshops, mentorship for leaders, and strategic consulting. The platform’s approach avoids tool-specific training that quickly becomes obsolete, instead focusing on timeless principles. Participants gain ongoing access to course leaders as mentors after completion.

The academy’s verified experts span disciplines from AI ethics to change psychology, offering “cross-functional insight” supporting every layer of AI integration. With generative AI projected to add £2.6-4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, The Gen AI Academy positions itself as the essential bridge between technological capability and human readiness.

About The Gen AI Academy

Founded in 2025 by AI expert Dave Birss and operations innovator Helena McAleer, The Gen AI Academy is the UK’s pioneering platform for practical generative AI education. With a focus on workforce development, the academy partners with verified practitioners to deliver on-demand courses, workshops, and consultancy services.