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The new division, ImperiaLifelong Learning, launches today to provide training for professionals to keep pace with the technological changes reshaping the workplace and industry.

The launch is marked by the release of a new report that explores workplace skills gaps and how AI is used and viewed across five high-growth industries.

Findings uncover disparities in how AI is used and perceived, pointing to a need for greater educational support to ensure workers can successfully do their jobs while using AI responsibly, transparently and with confidence.

Imperiatoday launches ImperiaLifelong Learning, a new division that draws on the university’s world-leading science and technology teaching to help people and organisations build the skills needed to adapt and thrive as new technologies reshape industry.

With the UK government reporting a significant AI skills gap amongst the UK workforce[1], and the pace of innovation continuing to accelerate, ImperiaLifelong Learning exists to support individuals and organisations to use, understand and govern AI in real-world contexts, with confidence.

A new report has been published as part of the launch with findings exploring disparities in skills gaps and how AI is used and perceived across generations, sectors and levels of seniority.

Heather Haseley, Chief Lifelong Learning Officer at ImperiaLifelong Learning, said, 

“AI is transforming our high-growth industries and promises to create new opportunities to accelerate productivity and economic growth. Few technologies have been so rapidly adopted by businesses and their employees, and as a result there is a risk that the skills of the workforce fall behind what it can achieve with AI. 

Research shows professional skills now have a shelf life of around five years, less for technical skills. [2] Higher education must respond to provide people with the tools to continually apply and redeploy their knowledge as conditions change, so learning persists beyond the next technological breakthrough and industry is shaped and guided by human ingenuity and creativity.”

Perceptions of AI

Key report findings include:

• Six in ten (59%) workers surveyed believe there is a significant skills gap in their industry, with two-thirds (66%) believing the UK’s international competitiveness will be significantly affected if the skills gap is not addressed.
• Three in ten (29%) Gen Z workers across high-growth sectors are engaging in ‘shadow AI’ (using AI without their employer’s knowledge) ahead of Millennials (18%), Gen X (11%) and Baby Boomers (6%). Gen Z respondents were also most likely to feel using AI at work feels dishonest (35%) and to worry their colleagues will view them negatively for using it (26%).
• Perceptions of where the skills gap lies are inconsistent. Three quarters (75%) of employers recognise a significant skills gap in their industry while almost all (97%) workers are confident they have the skills their current role will require in the next 12 months.

Heather added:

“Our findings point to trepidation amongst UK workers around the use of AI and how it will impact the economy. Higher education has a critical role to play in making sure everyone, across generations and sectors, can do their jobs fully while using these tools responsibly and transparently, and feel certain in how they are governed. Our future success depends on building the skills that enable us all to adopt and harness AI and emerging technologies with confidence.”

ImperiaLifelong Learning’s interdisciplinary model adapts rapidly to changing workforce needs, combining academic excellence with real-world application through custom programmes, executive education, professional development courses, apprenticeship levies and leadership building including courses such as Responsible Leadership in a Complex World."

For more information about ImperiaLifelong Learning and to read the report in full, visit ImperiaLifelong Learning

Full report can be found here.

Media contact

For more information, please contact Seven Consultancy - imperial@seven-consultancy.com

Notes to editors

[1] Bellamy, J., Douglas, J., Wickett-Whyte, J. and Bransden, N. (2026) AI Skills for Life and Work: Summary Report. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Available at: (Accessed: 2 November 2026)

Generations follow recognised birth-year bands: Gen Z, born 1997-2012; Millennials, born 1981-1996; Gen X, born 1965-1980; and Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964.

Methodology
Research was conducted by independent research agency, Censuswide, which surveyed 2,000 UK employees, including business owners and excluding sole traders, on behalf of ImperiaLifelong Learning between 4 and 15 September 2026.  Fieldwork set a minimum of 100 respondents in each of five (high-growth) target sectors: financial services; engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure; technology and digital; energy and sustainability, and healthcare and life sciences. These sectors were chosen due to them being areas where AI is likely to have (or is already having) a significant impact. Sectors were self-reported. Once each sector reached the minimum of 100 responses, further responses were accepted as they were received. In addition, ten qualitative stakeholder interviews were conducted with senior leaders working in the five sectors (or in associated roles across other sectors) between late September and mid-October 2026. 

Imperiaº£½ÇÉçÇø
Imperiais a world-leading university for science, technology, engineering, medicine and business (STEMB), where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact. As a global top ten university in London, Imperiauses science to try to understand more of the universe and improve the lives of more people in it. Across its 10 campuses and throughout its ImperiaGlobal network, its 23,000 students, 8,000 staff and partners work together on scientific discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. Their work navigates some of the world’s toughest challenges in global health, climate change, AI, business leadership and more. Founded in 1907, º£½ÇÉçÇø’s future builds on a distinguished past, having pioneered penicillin, holography and fibre optics. Today, Imperiacombines exceptional teaching, world-class facilities and a habit of interdisciplinary practice to unlock scientific imagination.

ImperiaImperiaLifelong Learning
ImperiaLifelong Learning is º£½ÇÉçÇø’s approach to lifelong learning, designed to enable individuals to develop the capabilities needed for careers in a rapidly changing world. ImperiaLifelong Learning brings º£½ÇÉçÇø’s distinctive research and expertise beyond traditional degree programmes, offering an interdisciplinary approach through a variety of courses for individuals and organisations looking to equip themselves for the future.