AI Skills Strategy for Europe Launch: Watch the Highlights

The ARISA project proposes a new strategy to answer the increasing demand for AI skills and professionals in the EU. Watch the highlights of our launch event on 28 May 2024.

Presentation of the Strategy

The AI Skills Strategy for Europe is a blueprint strategy aimed at addressing the AI skills gap and fostering a digital-ready workforce in the EU. Its main goal is to lead to systemic and structural impact on reducing skills shortages, gaps, and mismatches, as well as ensure appropriate quality and levels of skills to a broad range of stakeholders in Europe. The Strategy serves as a stepping stone for developing AI educational and training activities in Europe, in an innovative, inclusive and ethical way. During the event, Sabine Boesen-Mariani from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, co-author of the Strategy, presented the document. She highlighted how it addresses key challenges in the AI field, including bridging AI skills gaps, retaining talent, diversifying AI profiles, and boosting EU market competitiveness.

Insightful Panel Discussions

The first discussion panel explored the urgent need for AI skills in Europe. The panelists: Jennifer Sanford, Senior Director Global Public Policy, CISCO; André Veelders, Training manager at the Institute for ICT, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht; and Miglė Petkevičienė, INFOBALT board member and Partner at Ellex Legal, discussed the role of the public sector, industry leaders, and educational institutions – and the collaborative efforts between them. 

The second panel focused on diversity and inclusion within the AI field. The panelists: Joanna Pruszynska-Witkowska, Co-Founder & VP, Future Collars; Anu Passi Rauste, CMO & Partner, Headai; and Vasiliki Margariti, Digital, Telecom and Space Attachee at the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU, discussed how inclusive practices can enhance innovation, address bias in AI systems, and ensure that AI solutions are equitable and beneficial for all segments of society. Additionally, the discussion emphasized strategies for actively integrating underrepresented groups into AI leadership and development processes.

From strategy to concrete actions

• The strategy is the basis for further work on the design of AI curricula and learning programmes, and certification methods and framework. The ARISA project will continue its mission to bridge the AI skills gap by providing ready-to-use materials to skills, upskill, and reskill people in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
• The AI Skills Alliance is also open for new members. All public and private organisations that work toward a skilled and future-ready workforce in Europe and whose activities align with the ARISA objectives, are welcome to apply to become an Associated Partner: https://aiskills.eu/join-us/.