AI能否弥合汽车产业技能鸿沟？英国汽车产业需求评估

Document Version:Overview Report FOREWORD In today’s fast-paced innovation landscape, it is more important than ever for universities to play a responsive and enabling role inaddressing real-world challenges. This short research project, commissionedby the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), exemplifies the agility withwhichacademic institutions can support industry by providing timely,targeted, and impactful insights. The focus of this rapid-turnaround study; “Can AI fill the Automotive SkillsGaps? A Needs Assessment of the UK Automotive Industry”, reflects theurgencyand complexity of the workforce challenges facing the UK’sautomotive sector. As technologies evolve and AI becomes increasinglyembedded across business functions and production systems, skills andcapabilities that are required to adapt, lead, and innovate, are shifting just asquickly. This project has provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly withindustry experts, stakeholders, and practitioners to identify critical skills gaps,workforceperceptions,and future planning requirements.It has alsoexplored the broader barriers facing AI adoption in industry, and highlightedthe vital role that continuous professional development, training and policyguidance, must play to support transformation across the sector. Universities have a unique role to play in this ecosystem, not only througheducation and research, but as facilitators of industry collaboration andpolicy dialogue. At Coventry University, we are committed to conductingresearch that is both applied, and responsive, to bridge the gap betweeninsight and implementation. Professor Richard Dashwood Vice-Provost Research and Enterprise |Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) |Professor of Engineering Materials |Coventry University. FOREWORD This report, “Can AI fill the Automotive Skills Gaps? A Needs Assessment ofthe UK Automotive Industry,” offers timely and critical insights into howartificial intelligence might help address the persistent and evolving skillschallenges facing the UK automotive sector. Produced by a research team at Coventry University, the study draws on arichcombination of interviews,workshop engagements,and workforcesurveys. It presents a nuanced assessment of the sector’s most pressingneeds and barriers in recruiting, training, and up-skilling workers to meet thedemands of an industry undergoing rapid technological transformation. Inaddition to mapping current skills challenges, the report explores how AI iscurrently being used in the industry and how it is perceived by employersand practitioners. Importantly, it highlights the need for stronger collaborationbetween universities and industry partners to bridge critical gaps in digitalliteracy,foundational capabilities,and confidence around emergingtechnologies. These are essential if AI is to be effectively and ethicallydeployed to support workforce development. As AI continues to reshape the nature of work, this report asks not onlywhether it can help solve skills shortages, but also whether it should, andunder what conditions. Its insights are especially valuable for policymakers,educators,employers,and technology leaders seeking sustainable andinclusive responses to labour market pressures. I commend the research team for their thoughtful, methodical approach. Ihopethis report will contribute to ongoing conversations,and mostimportantly, action, on one of the defining challenges facing our sector andsociety today. Professor Elena Guara Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research |Professor of Pervasive Computing |Coventry University. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report addresses the UK’s automotive sector widening skills gap. As this industry advances towards smarter, greener, and more connectedmobility,Artificial Intelligence(AI)is rapidly becoming fundamental toinnovation. However, the pace of AI development and sectorial permeationhas also led to widespread misunderstandings about what AI truly offers, inparticular, AI’s role in enabling new business models, reshaping workforceneeds,and driving transformation is often under-explored ormisinterpreted.Thisinsight paper,developed as part of the AdvancedPropulsion Centre UK (APC) Insights programme, intends to provide someclarity and bring to bear evidence on the perceived state of play for the skillsgap at a critical time. It is hoped that the research conducted and reportedhere will guide future conversations and encourage stronger collaborationbetween industry and academia. The urgency is real: without action, the UKrisks falling behind in a globally competitive, fast-moving market. This report set out to: ๏identify the most pressing skills gaps in the UK’s automotive workforceand explore how AI and digital technologies can be harnessed to helpaddress and close these gaps.๏map the barriers, perceptions, and needs that shape industry uptake ofAI and emerging technologies.๏provide a data-driven foundation for future skills development strategy.๏highlight the