Atheni AI, a London-based startup co-founded by Louise Ballard, is tackling a critical bottleneck in the enterprise AI boom: getting employees to actually use the tools their companies have bought. Ballard's mission is to ensure that nobody gets left behind as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in every profession.
The company has secured funding to expand its platform, which provides tailored training and support to help workers integrate AI into their daily workflows. The round's details, including the amount and lead investors, were not disclosed, according to Tech.eu. Atheni AI positions itself as a bridge between the rush to deploy AI and the human skills needed to wield it effectively.
This investment comes as businesses across sectors grapple with a stark reality: spending on AI software has surged, but meaningful productivity gains remain elusive without widespread employee adoption. A recent study found that while 70% of companies have invested in AI tools, less than half report their workforce is proficient in using them. The market for AI training and change management is now attracting significant attention.
The funding signals a broader shift from deploying AI infrastructure to driving adoption and value realization. If companies fail to close this skills gap, they risk wasting billions on underutilized technology. Atheni AI's approach targets this pain point by focusing on the human element rather than just the software.
Ballard, who has a background in enterprise SaaS, brings a pragmatic perspective to the table. She argues that the biggest return on AI investment won't come from better algorithms, but from more confident and capable users. The startup now faces competition from larger corporate training platforms and in-house programs at major tech firms.