Not long ago, the ability to write a clear email or create a PowerPoint deck was seen as a basic professional skill. Today, we’re at a similar tipping point with AI. The ability to build and use AI agents is fast becoming an essential workplace skill — one that could soon be as routine as email.

UK Companies Are Leading the Way

Across the UK, organisations large and small are already adopting AI agents to improve efficiency and stay competitive. Businesses in sectors ranging from telecommunications to banking and e-commerce are deploying AI agents to handle tasks like customer service, content creation, and internal reporting.

For example, leading companies are using AI agents to manage thousands of weekly inquiries, automate social media content, and generate reports. Others are saving several hours each week through smart automation of repetitive tasks like research, scheduling, and approvals. The results speak for themselves: higher productivity, better decision-making, and happier, more focused employees.

The Benefits of Knowing How to Build AI Agents

Building AI agents isn’t just for data scientists or tech teams anymore. With today’s low-code tools, anyone can design simple, task-specific agents that deliver real business value. The benefits include:

• Time saved on manual or repetitive work
• Faster, more consistent outputs
• Empowerment of non-technical staff
• Increased capacity for strategic thinking and creativity

Being able to describe a task, define the logic, and use a tool to automate it is now a must-have competency, particularly for professionals in marketing, operations, HR, and learning and development.

The Training Gap

Despite the growing demand, formal training opportunities are still lacking. Many organisations are adopting AI tools but leaving their staff to figure it out through trial and error. This creates a skills gap between the tools available and people’s ability to use them effectively.

While executives are excited about the potential of AI, most organisations in the UK still lack structured training programs that teach employees how to design, prompt, and refine AI agents. This disconnect means that many professionals are left under-skilled and unsure of how to take advantage of this powerful technology.

The Future Is Now: Be Prepared for New Interview Questions

Soon, questions like “Do you use AI in your daily work?” or “Can you automate part of your role using AI agents?” will become standard in interviews. Candidates who can answer confidently — and even demonstrate simple AI automations — will stand out.