What Europe’s AI education experiments can teach a business

We are all chasing talent. It has become as critical to success as building amazing products, and many companies are feeling the pressure. The problem is that the demand for people with AI skills is growing exponentially, but the supply is not keeping up. The OECD points out that – many of us need AI experience, but very few job vacancies actually require this experience.

But there is a promising trend emerging, and it is happening in Europe. On the continent and in the UK, some things are happening in AI education – experiments that use AI to change the way people learn. These are glimpses into the workforce of the future, showing us how the next generation will approach problem solving and collaboration in a world that increasingly uses artificial intelligence.

Let’s look at some examples, and examine how they can help companies rethink their approach to talent.

Training teachers to work with artificial intelligence – the Manchester story

The University of Manchester is working to integrate generative AI into how we prepare future teachers, using the tools critically, creatively and thoughtfully, and combining AI suggestions with their students’ knowledge and experience.

This points to a future in which employees are not consumers of training but feel comfortable co-creating using AI. Future generations will expect AI to help them with their daily tasks, and the real competitive advantage will not be whether people use AI, but how they use it responsibly and ethically. UNESCO’s position is very precise, highlighting the enhancement of human capabilities, not their replacement.

Building AI skills from the ground up: AI-ENTR4YOUTH

AI-ENTR4YOUTH is a program that brings together Junior Achievement Europe and partners in ten European countries. Here AI is integrated into entrepreneurship education, where students use AI tools to address real-world problems, with an emphasis on innovation and European values.

This develops practical knowledge of AI early on, linking AI with an entrepreneurial mindset; Ability to spot opportunities and test new ideas. Most importantly, it expands the pool of AI talent by reaching students who may choose business, not technical, degrees.

The skills gap can be solved. Companies complaining about a shortage of AI talent should ask: How can we support or emulate programs like AI-ENTR4YOUTH to build the workforce we need?

Personal learning and affect: A social ebb and flow perspective

Social Tides supports education innovators in Europe. Her work highlights projects that use artificial intelligence to create more personalized learning experiences, especially for students who need additional support or have diverse learning styles. AI helps personalize content, act as a mentor, and build communities around students.

The common denominator is human oversight. AI offers recommendations and insights, but humans are still in a loop, making judgments and offering support. This aligns with best business practices in AI, as leaders try to make learning an integral part of the workday.

Essential questions for leaders

What does this mean for decision makers? Here are some questions to consider:

• Learning structure: Are we adopting personalized, AI-powered learning paths internally?
• Talent and pipeline: Are we shaping the talent pool of tomorrow through partnerships with local schools and universities?
• Governance and ethics: Do we have clear guidelines for using AI in training, ensuring fairness and transparency?
• Vendor choices: Do we choose AI tools that align with our values ​​and relevant regulations?

Although these educational programs can be described as experiments, they are an indication of how the future of work will be shaped. The companies that care now will be the ones who will secure better talent and build more adaptable, learning-based organizations.

(Image source: “Laboratory” by ♔ Georgie R licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.T)

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