According to the National Skills Council of Ireland, Artificial Intelligence is part of a suite of digital technologies which are already becoming critical drivers of productivity and competitive advantage for Ireland and Europe.   They posited that it will affect virtually every sector of the economy and society, meaning almost everyone will need some knowledge or understanding of AI as it becomes embedded into our jobs and lives. AI will become integrated into the way we work, and job roles and tasks will inevitably change.

As a result, AI technologies offer the potential to advance Ireland and Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness. They also offer opportunities to improve the lives of EU citizens through developments in health, farming, education, employment, energy, transport, security, and more.

Europe’s Commitment to ensuring AI works for people

The European Commissionis committed to ensuring AI works for people by fostering digital skills and promoting a human-centric approach to AI globally. AI should work for people and people should be able to trust AI technologies. So, the EU has to ensure that AI developed and put on the market in the EU is human-centric, sustainable, secure, inclusive and trustworthy.

The key proposed actions focus on:

• nurturing talent and improving AI skills
• developing a policy framework to secure trust in AI systems
• promoting the EU vision on sustainable and trustworthy AI in the world

What Changes can we expect to see?

AI will have a substantial impact on the European Skills agenda as it transforms the employment landscape and requires individuals to acquire new skills and adapt to emerging technologies.

The European Skills Agenda is designed to ensure that the workforce in Europe is equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the modern job market.

Changes will be seen in the following ways:

1. Demand for New Skills

• AI and Machine Learning Skills: As AI technology continues to advance, there will be a growing demand for professionals with expertise in AI and machine learning. This includes data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI researchers.
• Data Literacy: Understanding and working with data will become a fundamental skill. This includes the ability to collect, clean, analyse, and interpret data to make data-driven decisions.
• Programming and Coding: Proficiency in programming languages, especially those used in AI development (such as Python), will be crucial.
• Domain Specific Expertise: AI will be integrated into various industries, requiring individuals with deep domain knowledge alongside AI skills. For example, AI in healthcare will need healthcare professionals with AI skills.2. Reskilling & Upskilling

• Lifelong Learning: The rapid evolution of AI technology means that individuals will need to engage in continuous learning throughout their careers to stay relevant.
• Online & Remote Learning: AI will facilitate personalized and accessible learning opportunities, making it easier for individuals to acquire new skills remotely.3. Changing Education & Training

• AI-Enhanced Education: AI can be used to personalize and enhance the learning experience. Adaptive learning systems can cater to individual learning styles and paces.
• AI in Training & Development: Companies may use AI for employee training and development, allowing for personalised skill development plans.4. Shift in Job Roles

• Automation & Job Displacement: Some jobs may become automated or augmented by AI, leading to a need for workers to transition to new roles or industries.
• AI Augmented Workforce: Many jobs will involve working alongside AI systems, so skills in collaboration with AI tools will be essential.5. Ethical & Regulatory Skills

• Ethical AI: As AI systems become more prevalent, the need for professionals skilled in AI ethics and responsible AI development will grow.
• Regulatory & Compliance Skills: Governments and organizations will need professionals who can navigate the evolving landscape of AI regulations and standards.6. Global Workforce Mobility

• Remote Work: AI technology enables remote work and collaboration, allowing organisations to tap into a global talent pool. This will require skills related to cross-cultural collaboration and virtual teamwork.7. Economic & Social Impacts

• Social & Economic Policy Skills: Governments will require experts who can assess and respond to the economic and social consequences of AI, including issues related to unemployment and inequality.8. Creativity & Soft Skills

• Creativity & Emotional Intelligence: While AI can handle many routine tasks, human creativity, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills will remain highly valuable.

A European policy framework to ensure trust in AI systems

Trust is essential to facilitate the uptake of AI. The Commission has developed key principles to guide the European approach to AI that take into account the social and environmental impact of AI technologies. They include a human-centric way of developing and using AI, the protection of EU values and fundamental rights such as non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, and the sustainable and efficient use of resources.

The Commission proposes a number of measures and legislative actions to foster trust in AI. These include:

• a proposal for a horizontal framework for AI, focusing on safety and respect for fundamental rights specific to AI technologies
• EU measures adapting the liability framework to the challenges of new technologies, including AI
• revisions to existing sectoral safety legislation
• security operation centres, powered by AI, to act as a ‘cybershield’ for the EU, able to detect signs of a cyberattack early enough and to enable proactive action

The Commission will continue to cooperate with stakeholders and organisations including EU agencies and standard-setting organisations, to build trustworthy AI.

In Summary

• AI will reshape the European Skills Agenda by emphasising technical skills, digital literacy, ethics, and lifelong learning.
• The European commission is committed to ensuring a people-centric approach to AI.
• Trust is essential to facilitate the uptake of AI across Europe
• This skills agenda must be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce and industry, in the face of AI advancements, and should aim to empower individuals with the skills required to shape a technology-driven future.