Written by Lucia Vesnic-Alujevic with Georgios Saitis.
Driven by the rapid pace of technological change and the need for a human-centric approach to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), AI skills have a significant role in shaping the future European workforce. The growing skills gap in the EU, with almost half of the population lacking basic digital skills, including AI skills, poses a significant challenge for the future that needs to be addressed for the EU to maintain its competitiveness and manage regional disparities.
Several EU initiatives are under way, including the recently adopted union of skills communication and AI continent action plan. Fostering anticipatory governance, a culture of innovation, supporting diversity and inclusiveness in the AI workforce, and strengthening digital infrastructure are all critical to ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared by all, while minimising its negative impacts. Aligning with European values will be important to ensure fairness in this process. The EU’s future prosperity depends on using AI’s potential while basing it on a human-centric approach and ethical development, ensuring transparency and accountability, as well as prioritising people’s wellbeing.
Targeted investment in EU-wide digital infrastructure and education that emphasises lifelong learning and skills development could ensure balanced economic growth and competitiveness in the global talent market. By examining the multifaceted interaction between AI, skills and jobs, a way forward may be identified that focuses on the needs of EU citizens and ensures that the future European workforce – and citizens in general – are equipped to succeed in an increasingly automated and AI-driven economy.
Read the complete briefing on ‘What role for AI skills in (re-)shaping the future European workforce‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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