Bridging the Generative AI Divide: Why It's Everyone's Business

· 6 min read

Anyone who has followed my journey recently knows: I have devoted my time and resources to supporting local communities in understanding, adopting, and harnessing Generative AI. I’ve worked through local events with the Yeovil Chambers' Digital Hub; I serve on the board at Digital Somerset; I collaborate with GTIA (formerly CompTIA), Business West, and Innovate UK to support local businesses; I’ve partnered with local MSPs and Yeovil College to provide formalised training; and through the Heart of the South West Growth Hub and Digital Link programme where I am delivering free workshops to the community. The message, in every case, remains the same-AI isn’t just for “IT people." If the pace of change is daunting, it’s only because the opportunities are enormous.

A Rapidly Evolving Landscape

Those of us working at the coalface of AI education and adoption know how quickly things change. One day, a new model or framework emerges; the very next, it’s outclassed by something else. Whole talk segments I prepared just yesterday can be outdated by the morning. That’s the norm, not the exception. Yet, with this frantic pace comes an all-too-common misconception: that Generative AI is only for “IT people.”

Here’s the reality: Generative AI, AI Agents, and the rest of this AI wave can give just as big of an advantage to business leaders, administrators, marketers, and those running day-to-day operations as it does to the “IT crowd.” It’s high time we recognised that.

Survey Insights: Where Do We Really Stand?

Recently, we ran a survey ahead of our upcoming From Zero to AI event, capturing the views of local businesses and individuals. Here are the key findings:

  1. AI Knowledge Level

    Nearly 50% of respondents have little knowledge of AI, underlining the urgent need for foundational, accessible training.

  2. Primary Business Area for AI Impact

    41% see the greatest AI impact in Sales & Marketing, especially in areas such as email campaigns, social media, and customer engagement. Operations came a close second (32%), while Finance, HR, and Training lagged behind.

  3. Attitude Towards AI Adoption

    62% were excited and ready to experiment. 10% cited concerns about complexity and cost, showing that enthusiasm can be tempered by practical worries. Only one respondent was sceptical-a sign of overwhelmingly positive momentum towards AI.

  4. Biggest Challenge

    46% said time constraints stopped them from exploring AI. Just under 40% felt lack of expertise was their primary hurdle.

  5. Most Desired Outcome

    46% want practical, hands-on ways to apply AI in their business, while 22% seek to understand how AI can save time or cut costs.

These findings confirm what I’m seeing every day in workshops and events: People who are not “IT experts” are hungry to learn, but often lack the time and confidence to dive in.

The Growing Skills Divide

This lack of time and exposure, coupled with the echo-chamber effect among tech developers, is causing a widening gap. On one side, we have techies who build ever more advanced AI solutions, assume everyone else is doing the same, and fill their training resources with jargon and code-heavy steps (like spinning up an Azure instance on Day One and closing a Github Repository - Really!!).

On the other side, we have experienced business people-running departments, leading teams, wearing a dozen hats at once-who don’t see AI as “for them.” They rarely have the luxury of even a few extra hours to try out new tools. Worse, many assume that if it’s “IT,” they’re excluded. And that’s simply not true.

A Real-World Anecdote

A quick example: I recently joined my local Round Table group, where we have monthly meetings with agendas and minutes. Only one of our members takes notes digitally and is good-naturedly nicknamed “Laptop.” This casual ribbing tells you everything you need to know: Even in a group of successful, younger professionals, using a computer in a meeting is unusual enough to stand out.

Now imagine introducing Generative AI workflows into such a setting-it’s not that people don’t find it interesting, it’s that they feel it’s “too techie” or out of their realm. Meanwhile, I see the potential for AI to transform these exact everyday processes-saving time, removing drudgery, and sparking new ideas.

The Gap: Who Bridges It?

Fortunately, there’s a small (but growing) group of us who understand how to use AI to its full potential-while also seeing the business side of things. We grasp real-life workflows, the pinch points in operations, and the myriad ways AI can streamline tasks. We also take the time to stay on top of new releases, new models, and new applications. Most importantly, we speak the language of business, not just code.

This is the true irony: Generative AI could help business leaders more than it ever helps “IT people." It’s not about building or configuring AI from scratch; it’s about understanding where and how it can be applied across your organisation to achieve genuine improvements in efficiency, consistency, and innovation.

Don’t Wait for the Bus to Slow Down

Generative AI isn’t an “IT project.” It’s more akin to a core skill-like reading, writing, or basic numeracy. You can’t just treat it as a separate silo or a passing trend. By the time you think it’s stabilised, a newer, more powerful wave of tech will have arrived. So the message is simple:

  • Get on the bus: Don’t stand on the sidelines. Experiment with existing tools. Take an entry-level workshop or webinar if you’re brand-new to AI.
  • Stay on the bus: Once you’ve started using AI in your business, keep learning. There will always be new features, frameworks, and techniques that can further transform your operations.

Why Now?

While it might be tempting to wait for the technology to “mature,” the reality is that AI breakthroughs are arriving faster than ever. Businesses and idividuals that embrace AI today can gain a decisive edge-whether in cost savings, improved productivity, or market differentiation. Delay not only means missed opportunities; it also increases the risk of being outpaced by competitors who adopt AI-driven strategies early. By acting now, you’re positioning yourself to continually adapt, evolve, and stay ahead in an AI-powered world.

Calling Fellow Gap-Bridgers

At the moment, I’m fortunate to collaborate with a range of local organisations and educational bodies. My schedule is nearly full as I strive to bring hands-on, practical AI insights to those who need them. The more I look, the more I find there are few people doing the same sort of bridging work that I do. If you’re someone who loves Generative AI and knows how to run a business, I want to hear from you. You don’t have to be a programmer to teach others about AI. In fact, your value is precisely in seeing how AI can help real people do real tasks in real time.

Final Thoughts

The AI revolution is a massive opportunity for those willing to learn, experiment, and share their knowledge. If you see yourself as someone who can straddle both worlds-the “tech” and the “business”-you’re in the perfect position to drive meaningful change. We can no longer afford to let these two sides sit in silos. The businesses (and people) who embrace AI today, with clarity and purpose, will build the success stories of tomorrow.

If this resonates with you, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can only close this gap by teaming up, championing practical AI adoption, and broadening the circle of those who see AI as more than just an “IT thing.” That’s how we’ll ensure no one misses the bus-because it’s not stopping any time soon.