AI is changing more than the technology businesses use. It is also changing the skills organisations need to deliver digital transformation.
For employers, that doesn’t simply mean hiring more AI specialists. As AI becomes part of software development, data analysis, automation and business processes, transformation teams also need people who can understand its impact on workflows, employees and business decisions.
Skills England’s 2026 research shows that AI is reshaping digital and technology roles, with demand shifting from some routine coding and testing towards oversight, assurance, judgement and communication. It also highlights growing demand for adaptability, accountability and collaboration alongside technical expertise.
How Is AI Changing Digital Transformation?
Digital transformation has traditionally involved introducing new systems, replacing legacy technology and improving business processes. AI adds another layer because it can change how the work itself gets done.
A business might use AI to analyse data, automate processes, support customers or help employees make decisions. Each use case can change the skills required within the transformation team.
CIPD research published in 2026 highlights how AI is changing tasks, roles and skill requirements, with organisations needing to adapt skills planning as AI adoption develops rather than relying on one-off training.
For hiring teams, this means looking beyond the technology being implemented and considering the people needed to manage and support that change.
Do Digital Transformation Teams Still Need Technical Skills?
Yes. AI does not remove the need for technical expertise.
Technology professionals still need knowledge of systems, software, data, infrastructure, security and architecture. In many cases, they also need to understand how AI fits into those environments.
The difference is that technical knowledge may no longer be enough on its own. A technology professional working on an AI-enabled transformation may also need to assess outputs, identify risks and understand when human judgement should remain part of a process.
Which Skills Are Becoming More Important?
AI is increasing the value of skills that connect technology with the wider business.
Problem-solving and decision-making remain important because AI can generate information and recommendations, but people still need to decide what to do with them.
Communication and collaboration matter because technology professionals increasingly need to explain AI-enabled systems to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Adaptability is also becoming more important as tools and workflows continue to change.
Judgement and accountability matter when AI influences business decisions. Someone still needs to understand when an AI output should be checked, challenged or rejected.
The UK Government’s 2026 AI Labour Market Survey highlights changing skills requirements and significant skills gaps across the UK’s AI labour market, reinforcing the need for employers to consider both specialist expertise and broader capabilities when hiring for AI-enabled transformation.
Will Employers Need More AI Specialists?
Some organisations will. Others may not.
A business developing AI products will need a different skills mix from one using AI to improve internal processes. Specialist roles may include AI engineers, machine learning professionals, data specialists and people working in AI governance or assurance.
However, existing transformation roles are changing too.
A Business Analyst may need to understand how AI affects a business process. A Project Manager may need to manage AI-related risks and dependencies. A Change Manager may need to help employees adapt to AI-enabled ways of working.
The technology may sit with specialists, but its impact can extend across the whole transformation programme.
Should Employers Hire for AI Experience or Potential?
There will be roles where direct AI experience is essential. Someone building or managing an AI system may need proven specialist expertise.
For other transformation roles, employers may benefit from looking more broadly. A candidate with strong technology knowledge, business understanding and experience delivering change may be able to develop their AI capability quickly.
The 2026 Skills for AI research from DWP and Skills England highlights the need for employers to assess their AI skills requirements and plan workforce development as AI adoption progresses, rather than treating skills gaps as a one-off problem.
That makes it important to define what the person actually needs to deliver before deciding which AI skills are essential.
What Does This Mean for Digital Transformation Recruitment?
Job descriptions may need to change as AI becomes part of more transformation programmes.
Adding “AI experience” to every technology vacancy will not necessarily solve the problem. Employers first need to understand the role, the technology involved and the outcomes they expect.
From there, hiring teams can identify which skills are essential and which could be developed after hiring. This can also help them decide whether a gap requires a permanent hire, internal development or temporary specialist support.
Building an AI-Ready Transformation Team
The strongest digital transformation teams will not necessarily contain the most AI specialists. They will contain the right mix of technical expertise, business understanding and people who can adapt as the technology changes.
For employers, the key question is therefore not simply “Who has AI experience?”
It is “What will our transformation team need to achieve as AI changes the way we work?”
That question can lead to more realistic job descriptions, better hiring decisions and a clearer approach to building the skills needed for digital transformation.
