Lack Of AI Skills Slows Innovation

The most serious obstacle to digital transformation in companies is the mismatch between the skills of employees and the ever-increasing pace of innovation, concludes a global report by SoftwareOne.

Key Facts

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of survey respondents indicated that they do not have sufficient skills to work with artificial intelligence (AI), while at the same time, 41% of organizations are having difficulty finding qualified employees with AI experience and knowledge.
The lack of cloud skills has increased the workload of employees (62% of respondents) and has led to significant consequences, including burnout and increased turnover.
Nearly a quarter of global IT managers (23%) are considering leaving their jobs precisely because of this shortage, while at the same time, for 84% of companies, retaining IT talent is becoming a significant challenge.
Talent retention problems in companies are further exacerbated by team conflicts. 34% of the respondents point to the lack of skills to work with cloud technologies as a reason for tension between them and the direct manager, and 42% perceive it as a reason for conflicts in the team. One in five (22%) respondents said they did not feel comfortable asking for additional training to improve their skills.

Important Quote

“Rapid advances in AI and generative AI create exciting prospects for companies around the world, but when it comes to teams, organizations are sitting on a ticking time bomb if they don’t upskill and upskill their employees to realize AI’s potential,” says Brian Duffy, CEO of SoftwareOne.

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What To Watch For

The research highlights the importance of prioritizing employees working more closely with advanced technology, which is proving key amid growing skills gaps in cloud and AI. This would significantly transform organizational dynamics, with 97% of companies planning to upskill their employees, the survey found.

“Our research shows that a large number of organizations are planning to enhance the capabilities of their IT teams to accelerate AI and cloud deployments. By putting people at the center and demonstrating the benefits of innovation for their roles in the organization, companies can build a supportive and positive environment that helps retain employees, increases productivity and makes work more meaningful.”

Tangent

The SoftwareOne Cloud Skills Report surveyed 500 senior management respondents in the UK, Benelux, North America and Australia, exploring how the cloud skills shortage is affecting IT teams and what plans are in place to address it in 2024

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Attacks On Data Centers In UAE And Bahrain Highlight Digital Infrastructure Risks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 6, 2026

Recent drone attacks linked to Iran have struck data center facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, raising concerns about the vulnerability of digital infrastructure in conflict zones. Facilities operating within the cloud network of Amazon Web Services were among the targets. These incidents highlight how modern conflicts increasingly extend beyond traditional military assets to include critical digital infrastructure.

Critical Infrastructure In The Crosshairs

Iranian drones struck two data centers in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. A separate strike in Bahrain also affected infrastructure connected to regional cloud operations. The attacks occurred amid escalating tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Analysts say the incidents demonstrate how data centers are becoming strategic assets in geopolitical conflicts. Patrick J. Murphy, executive director of the geopolitical advisory unit at Hilco Global, said the attacks reflect a broader shift in how infrastructure is viewed in modern security planning. In his view, digital assets now carry strategic importance comparable to energy systems and telecommunications networks.

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Industry Response And Strategic Repercussions

Companies operating cloud services in the region responded quickly to the disruptions. Organizations relying on Amazon Web Services infrastructure were advised to move workloads to alternative regions where possible. Major technology providers, including Microsoft and Google, have also reviewed contingency procedures following the incidents. The situation has underscored the importance of redundancy and geographic diversification in cloud infrastructure. Government authorities increasingly classify data centers as critical national infrastructure. Policymakers in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union have introduced measures aimed at strengthening the protection of digital assets. Security analysts expect the recent attacks to accelerate efforts to integrate cloud infrastructure into national security planning alongside sectors such as energy, water and telecommunications.

Developments And Industry Reactions

The events also come amid wider debates about the relationship between technology companies and national security policy. In a separate development, the U.S. government recently designated technology company Anthropic as a potential supply chain risk. The company’s chief executive, Dario Amodei, has indicated that the designation could face legal challenge. Technology firms with major operations in the Middle East are reassessing risk management strategies. Expanded multi-region data replication and stronger backup systems form part of these measures, according to Scott Tindall of Hogan Lovells. Meanwhile, comments from OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman have reignited discussion about the growing links between technology companies and government defence programmes.

Looking Ahead

The recent drone strikes illustrate the increasing strategic importance of digital infrastructure in global security dynamics. Data centers are gradually being treated as critical assets within geopolitical conflicts. Continued tensions are likely to prompt additional investment by governments and technology companies in strengthening protection of cloud infrastructure and improving operational resilience across global networks.

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