ARISA Newsletter: December 2025

In this newsletter, we offer you a quick recap of what we have been busy with over the past three months, including the AI Literacy Report, latest article on the blog, project updates, free courses offered by our associated partner, and an invitation to our upcoming event.

As we come to the end of this year, we would like to thank you for reading our newsletters and for being part of our community.
The ARISA project team is wishing you happy holidays!

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The AI Literacy Practices Report is out!

Developed jointly by the European Commission’s AI Office and ARISA, the report highlights how AI literacy has become a strategic priority across Europe. It highlights the need for role- and sector-specific training, notes that larger organisations and the ICT sector are ahead, and points to ongoing challenges such as rapid AI change, limited resources and unclear guidance on Article 4. This collaboration is a major milestone for ARISA and a valuable resource for organisations preparing their AI literacy strategies under the AI Act.
You can read the report here.

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INTERESTING READ: The future of AI skills: what to learn in 2026

As 2025 comes to an end, we look ahead to 2026 and the skills set to shape the future of work. With AI transforming industries at speed, this article explores key trends, in-demand skills, and finishes with a holiday-themed reading list. Ready to go further? Boost your skills with an AI course at the ARISA Academy. Read the article here.

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CEN Workshop

On 28 October, we held our first stakeholder meeting in the development of AI role profiles and educational profiles — the foundation for a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA), a formal European standardisation document.

This collaborative effort brings together voices from across industry, education, policy, and standards to:

⦁ Define key AI-related roles and competences

⦁ Map skills and learning outcomes for future AI talent

⦁ Build a shared European framework for AI education and workforce development

What are the next steps?

⦁ Processing feedback on initial role profiles and drafting learning profiles based on stakeholder input.

⦁ Continuing engagement to ensure the profiles reflect real-world demands and opportunities.

⦁ Building a foundation for responsible and inclusive AI talent development.

You can still join the stakeholder group.

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UPDATES CORNER

On 20-21 November, the ARISA consortium gathered in Milan at the The Adecco Group – Mylia_ offices for our semi-annual in-person meeting.

We were also delighted to welcome Giulia Carsaniga from the European Commission AI Office, who delivered an insightful presentation as we continue strengthening our cooperation with the Office.

In-person meetings are always a great chance for hands-on workshops and meaningful discussions. As we head into the final year of the ARISA project, we are putting our energy into making sure the impact lasts, and exploring new opportunities to keep ARISA’s work growing even after the project ends.

On 25 November, the HU Research Market brought together around 200 visitors at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU) to explore ongoing practice-based research. The Digital Re- & Upskilling research line highlighted key outcomes from the ARISA project, including recent work on AI skills and AI literacy.

During the keynote Digital Skills & Professions of the Future, HU professors Pascal Ravesteyn and Xander Lub discussed how digital transformation is reshaping jobs and competences, drawing on insights from ARISA’s AI Literacy Practices Report and AI Skills Strategy for Europe.

The team also hosted short interactive “Science Bites” sessions, linking ARISA’s findings to practical questions from educators, students, and professionals on AI readiness, emerging skills, and responsible adoption.

Overall, the Research Market proved a valuable moment to connect ARISA’s European-level work with local and regional discussions on digital transformation, and to show how ARISA resources support skills development across education, industry, and the wider community.

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ASSOCIATED PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT

Looking to level up your AI skills? Explore the Deep Tech Microcredentials from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), ARISA’s associated partner — online, self-paced short courses launched 1 December 2025. The courses are free, taught in English, and require no prior AI background. They were originally designed for students at the Warsaw School of Computer Science and Vilnius Business College within the EIT-funded project “AI For All.”

From medical AI to data-driven engineering and material-science applications, there’s a track for every interest. Students from universities across Europe can benefit from flexible learning, hands-on exercises, and a certificate upon completion.

Don’t miss this opportunity! For more information, click here.

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UPCOMING EVENT

ARISA is hosting an interactive workshop to bring together key stakeholders and co-create the next steps for strengthening Europe’s AI skills ecosystem. Building on EU initiatives such as the Digital Europe Programme, the European Year of Skills, and the Pact for Skills, the session invites participants to share insights, identify priorities, and help shape future cooperation on AI skills across Europe.

 Register here.

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Join the AI Skills Alliance as an Associated Partner
The AI Skills Alliance keeps expanding! We already have 40 Associated Partners! 

By becoming an ARISA Associated Partner, your organisation gains access to a vibrant network that fosters knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the collective pursuit of excellence in AI skills development. We offer you the flexibility to choose where to contribute so it aligns better with your organisation’s goals. 

Sounds interesting? Read more about the Associated Partnership opportunity & apply. 

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