Book Release: Groundbreaking guide shows how to bridge the data & AI skills gap costing enterprise millions

Birmingham, UK –  Greg Freeman, CEO & Founder of Data Literacy Academy, has just announced the release of his first book, The Data & AI Literacy Bible.

Crafted as a comprehensive leadership playbook, the book tackles an essential business challenge: how to get employees to drive value from data.

Drawing on insights from over 100 enterprise data & AI literacy programmes with global brands including Bentley Motors, Aston University, Aer Lingus and Penguin Random House, Freeman's book exposes a critical disconnect between tech and human ability. While 92% of UK businesses using AI report increased revenue, 46% admit they're being "slowed down" by data skills gaps. And the more tech speeds up, the bigger the gap will get.

"Data leaders are under pressure like never before," says Freeman. "The honeymoon period is over. The C-Suite and board want results, not promises based on wishful thinking. But there’s a key problem: companies keep making the same mistakes. They’re buying expensive tools, rolling out generic training, and wondering why nothing changes. This book is about doing it differently."

Why this book matters now

The Data & AI Literacy Bible arrives at a pivotal moment. The role of Chief Data Officer is under scrutiny, with average tenures hovering at just 2-3 years. Meanwhile, AI adoption is accelerating faster than workforce readiness, creating what Freeman calls "the data & AI literacy gap", a chasm between data teams and everyone else that's costing organisations millions in lost opportunity and failed transformation.

"I've said for a long time, the number one impediment to data success is people and culture," notes data literacy pioneer Jordan Morrow, who contributed to the book. "Greg's work gives leaders a roadmap to close that gap."

The book rejects one-size-fits-all thinking. Instead, Freeman introduces practical, people-first frameworks built on real outcomes:

• Culture over tools: Why psychological safety beats Power BI training every time
• Strategy before spend: How to align data & AI literacy with actual business goals, not vanity metrics
• Behaviour change at scale: How to use proven change models, gamification, and Communities of Practice to make learning stick
• AI without the hype: Why AI literacy is impossible without data literacy, and how to upskill responsibly

"Don't just buy more solutions," Freeman argues. "Invest in your people first, then let the technical follow. That's how you turn data from a cost centre into a value driver."

What sets the Data & AI Literacy Bible apart

Unlike traditional data strategy guides, The Data & AI Literacy Bible is unapologetically focused on execution.

Packed with case studies, reflective questions, contributor insights and some hard truths, it’s a holistic guide that will get leaders thinking no matter where they are in their data culture-building journey.

The Data & AI Literacy Bible is essential reading for:

• Chief Data Officers and CDAOs looking to prove ROI and secure long-term board support
• Heads of Data and Analytics tasked with scaling adoption across siloed teams
• L&D and Change Leaders designing enterprise-wide transformation programmes
• C-suite executives who know they need data & AI literacy but don't know where to start

Freeman shares: "When we look at training programmes, it’s mostly focused on data for data people. We’ve always put the 80% first, those business people who are still grappling with fundamentals. That’s why this book helps leaders identify what they need to prioritise to close the gap between what data can do, and what your people are actually doing with it. If you get that right, everything else follows."

About Greg Freeman

Greg Freeman is the founder and CEO of Data Literacy Academy, one of the UK's fastest-growing education businesses. His unique background, combining commercial strategy, technical data fluency, and pedagogical expertise, has made him a trusted partner to global enterprises navigating data and AI transformation.

Unlike many in the data space, Greg's journey began in education. That perspective informs everything Data Literacy Academy does: making the complex accessible, meeting people where they are, and creating lasting behavioural change instead of tickbox training.

About Data Literacy Academy

Data Literacy Academy partners with medium-to-large scale enterprises to build data-fluent workforces through blended learning, change management, and strategic enablement.

Media Contact:

media@dl-academy.com

Purchase Information:

The Data & Literacy Bible will be available in November in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats. All profits will be donated to Dog's Trust.

You can register for the pre-release here.