Making AI Work for Everyone: The Channel Partner’s Guide to Accessible AI

COMMENTARY: AI adoption is accelerating across the U.S. Job openings in the field are projected to grow by 40% in the next three years, while the global tech and telecoms researcher IDC forecasts global AI spending to reach $630 billion by 2028.

And throughout this period of intense growth, who could be better placed to support businesses – of all sizes and across all sectors – than channel partners? 

Yet for us in the channel, the important thing to remember is that AI’s promise isn’t just about integrating AI-based technologies. From compliance and security to overcoming talent shortages, there’s a real need for partners who can guide clients through AI’s complexities and ensure they get the most out of these tools. 

Here are some of the top trends shaping the AI landscape and how channel partners can leverage them for growth.

Data Integrity and Compliance

Data integrity is crucial for effective AI, yet the regulatory landscape for this technology remains fragmented. As we’ve seen in recent years with data privacy laws, each state often enforces its own requirements. Recently, California signed the Generative AI Accountability Act into law, setting a precedent for state agencies in reviewing, managing, and regulating AI technologies.

Other states—and potentially federal agencies—are likely to follow suit with similar standards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is intensifying its oversight of AI applications for fairness, bias, and transparency. Meanwhile, proposed federal legislation and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework indicate clear intent toward unified AI regulations—standards that the entire channel will eventually need to pay attention to.

Channel Opportunity: For channel partners, this regulatory environment creates a valuable opportunity to take on an advisory role. By staying on top of state and federal standards, partners can help clients navigate compliance demands and align with emerging privacy and ethical standards.

Addressing AI-Specific Threat Vectors with Tailored Solutions

We’ve all heard the warnings about the cybersecurity risks that come with AI models, from prompt injection attacks to model evasion. These threats are especially concerning in the U.S., where AI applications in finance, healthcare, and government require top-tier security due to their appeal to adversaries. Take prompt injection, for instance: hackers can input malicious prompts to skew outputs, leading to biased or false results that could seriously impact decision-making.

Channel Opportunity: Demand for AI-specific cybersecurity solutions will grow, and channel partners can build portfolios that include model-agnostic governance tools and cybersecurity solutions, helping clients secure AI data streams and remain compliant. Offering model auditing services also positions partners to support clients as regulatory scrutiny around AI ethics and security intensifies.

Bridging the Skills Gap and Tackling the AI Talent Shortfall

The U.S. has a wealth of AI-focused educational programs, but demand for experienced professionals still outpaces supply, especially as Big Tech absorbs the top talent. According to CBRE’s annual Scoring Tech Talent report, AI-specific job postings in the U.S. grew to comprise 14.3% of all tech postings in 2024, up from 8.8% in 2019, reflecting surging demand across various sectors. This could have significant implications for small to mid-sized businesses that cannot compete with tech giants on salary and benefits.

Channel Opportunity: Channel partners can act as critical AI support here. By developing and promoting AI-as-a-Service models, partners can offer businesses the option to access AI capabilities without hiring full-time AI staff. Offering upskilling programs, customized AI training workshops, and managed AI services will help partners address client needs while bypassing the hiring bottleneck. 

AI in the Public Sector

As AI gains traction across U.S. federal, state, and local agencies, it’s driving efficiency and enabling data-driven decisions in areas like fraud detection and emergency response. Yet, the high computational demands of AI applications—especially those involving sensitive data—pose infrastructure and security challenges.

And for organizations outside major tech hubs, the strain on infrastructure is even more pronounced. Limited data center space and shortages of high-powered components, like Nvidia GPUs, make scaling AI projects both challenging and expensive

Channel Opportunity: Channel partners can support public agencies with hybrid infrastructure solutions that meet compliance standards like ISO 27001, FedRAMP, and NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework. Ethical considerations are equally important, as AI systems used in public decision-making are under scrutiny for potential biases. To address this, partners can implement bias-detection tools and provide guidance on ethical AI practices, helping government clients uphold transparency standards.

The AI landscape is dynamic, and as it evolves, so does the role of the channel partner. It’s critically important that we don’t just keep up with trends for the sake of it; rather, value is added by supporting customers and businesses through the complexities of AI with clarity and confidence. By staying attuned to compliance changes, investing in the right security solutions, and bridging the AI skills gap, channel partners can make AI accessible for businesses that might otherwise be left behind.

So, a final word for channel partners ready to dip their toes into the ever-growing world of AI: those who take an informed, proactive approach will empower clients to make AI work for them—whether transforming public services, enhancing cybersecurity, or scaling innovation with sustainable infrastructure.

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