
Generative AI is said to already be changing the way people live and work around the world. Daljish Channa, Accenture’s corporate citizenship lead in the UK, explains how she believes the technology will transform the consulting industry, and the economy – if questions around inequality and skills gaps can be addressed.
Technology has weaved its way into our homes and habits. Think of the busy parents using gen AI to plan family budgets and spark creativity with their kids, or curious young people harnessing AI to develop new skills at the start of their careers and apply for roles that might have previously felt out of reach.
It’s a wave of innovation at a scale we’ve never seen before. But here’s the catch: a worrying imbalance is already starting to emerge, and if left unchecked, it could further accelerate digital exclusion.
Game changer
At its core, gen AI has the potential to be a game-changer. It can simplify complex tasks, act as a problem-solving partner, and open doors. Imagine a world where a person with limited digital skills can use gen AI to write a compelling cover letter, or where someone who struggles with numbers can use AI to manage their finances more effectively.
The economic benefits are significant. Accenture’s research suggests that gen AI could add £736 billion to the GDP by 2038 if rolled out responsibly and people are equipped with the necessary skills.
However, we’re already seeing signs of an imbalance when it comes to training and upskilling with gen AI. Our studies show that workers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are significantly less likely to have access to gen AI tools once they enter the workforce. Even when these tools are available, usage rates are lower, a result of unequal access, and disparities in training.
An education gap is even more pronounced: almost a third (29%) of this group have received no digital training in the past two years. When asked about future plans, only 6% said they intended to gain new AI skills in the next 12 months, a figure nearly six times lower than their university-educated counterparts.
This matters because gen AI is not just a tool for the tech-savvy; it’s a necessity for anyone looking to thrive in the modern economy. As gen AI becomes more embedded across sectors—from retail to healthcare, manufacturing to logistics—this gap creates a significant social and economic challenge. It’s one of the reasons Accenture recently joined a collective of firms collaborating with government to deliver AI skills training to 7.5 million workers.
Generative skills
It doesn’t end with workers – there’s an even bigger digital divide whereby 8.5 million adults in the UK do not have basic digital skills. We believe there is a better way forward. With our Regenerative AI initiative, Accenture will support over a million people in disadvantaged communities across the UK to access digital services and build their AI skills over the next three years. But we know we can’t do it alone. Closing the digital skills divide will require collaboration between government, education providers, industry, and employers.
Gen AI offers a unique opportunity to reshape the world of work. Its ease of use – through natural language – means it can be accessible to more people, more quickly. But accessibility does not guarantee inclusion. That will take intentional action.
Training must be inclusive by design, not just a benefit for those already in knowledge-based roles. Upskilling must be about more than just tools – it must build confidence and mindset too. And interventions must be local, relevant, and grounded in the realities of the communities they aim to serve.
The benefits of gen AI can be profound for the UK, but a focus on digital inclusion must remain at its heart.