UK Tech Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Cloud and AI Expertise for Business Transformation, According to Coursera-AWS Study
In a recent survey conducted by Coursera and AWS, UK tech leaders have identified cloud transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) as the top priorities for driving business transformation over the next three years [1].
Cloud transformation takes the highest priority, with 94% of tech leaders viewing it as a key business goal [1]. AI follows closely, with 88% of leaders prioritising it [1]. The survey also highlights the importance of foundational skills, with cloud skills, cybersecurity, and data skills being considered critically important by 63%, 52%, and 59% of tech leaders globally, respectively [4].
AI skills rank fourth, with 47% of leaders identifying them as important over the next three years [4]. However, a significant number of tech leaders believe that their current teams lack the necessary skills to meet transformation goals within the next 12-18 months, with more than half (52%) expressing this concern [1].
To address this skills gap, upskilling and continuous learning are major priorities for UK tech leaders. Around 75% prioritize training over the next 12 to 18 months [1]. Keeping pace with technology advancements is seen as the most urgent driver for skill development by 67% of leaders [1].
The survey also reveals that nearly all (99%) respondents anticipate that their codebases will be partially AI generated or developed with AI assistance in the next 3 years [1]. Software developer and systems developer roles are anticipated to be most significantly impacted by AI automation.
Cybersecurity ranks higher in importance than AI for UK tech leaders, taking third place [1]. Over a quarter (27%) of companies in the UK were hit by a cyber-attack in the past year [1].
Coursera, one of the largest online learning platforms in the world with 183 million registered learners as of June 30, 2025, partners with over 350 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials [2]. The UK government also identifies investment in AI as the new economic frontier [3].
In conclusion, UK tech leaders view business transformation as tightly linked to investing in cloud infrastructure first, followed closely by AI, supported by strong data and cybersecurity foundations, all enabled through substantial focus on workforce upskilling and reskilling [1][4].
[1] Coursera and AWS Report on Business Transformation, 2022 [2] Coursera About Us, 2022 [3] UK Government AI Strategy, 2017 [4] Global Tech Leader Survey, 2022
While cloud transformation leads as the top priority for driving business transformation (94% of tech leaders viewing it as key [1]), artificial intelligence (AI) follows closely (88% of leaders prioritizing it [1]). To maintain pace with technological advancements, upskilling and continuous learning are major priorities for UK tech leaders, with 75% prioritizing training within the next 12 to 18 months ([1]).
