The AI4VET4AI project has published a comprehensive study on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on key European sectors, including healthcare, education, retail, and services. The report, created with the help of 25 partners from 11 countries and led by researchers from the Technische Informationsbibliothek, provides rich insights into areas where specific skills are needed for effective AI application.

The report, "AI4VET4AI: Transnational Analysis of AI-Related Skills Gaps," examines the readiness of sectors such as professional and scientific activities, wholesale and retail trade, human health, education, and accommodation and food services. Each of these sectors is crucial to the European economy as they collectively support millions of jobs. The findings are valuable for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders who aim to ensure a workforce ready for the future.

AI is transforming job requirements and creating an urgent need for specialized competencies across all industries. According to Dr. Scott Harrison, a researcher from Technische Informationsbibliothek, “AI implementation in Europe is accelerating, but there is a significant AI skills gap in all sectors, especially in healthcare and technical fields.” The report highlights that 65% of surveyed companies currently lack the basic skills to utilize AI among their employees, with significant deficiencies in AI literacy and practical knowledge of AI applications. To bridge these gaps, the AI4VET4AI project emphasizes the need to integrate AI skill training into higher education, vocational education, and lifelong training across Europe.

Key Findings:

• Skill Gaps Across Sectors: Certain industries, including healthcare and retail, face acute skill shortages for effective AI integration, such as data analysis, machine learning, and cybersecurity. The education sector particularly requires training in personalized AI-supported learning tools.
• Sector-Specific Recommendations: Each sector analyzed in the report has unique AI-related skill needs. For example, healthcare professionals need training in AI diagnostic systems, while wholesale and retail could benefit from AI-driven inventory management and fraud prevention systems.
• AI for Economic Growth: The report highlights the potential of AI technologies to significantly contribute to the EU’s GDP. In 2023 alone, AI investments in Europe reached nearly 9 billion euros, underscoring the importance of addressing skill gaps to maximize these economic benefits.

Policy Recommendations for Policymakers and Educators:

To address these challenges, the report offers strategic recommendations for policymakers, educational institutions, and vocational education and training providers, including:

• AI Literacy Integration: The report suggests including basic AI literacy modules in higher and vocational education curricula, with a special focus on ethical considerations, data management, and responsible technology use.
• Development of Sector-Specific AI Courses: Examples include machine learning for supply chain optimization in retail or AI tools for personalized patient care in healthcare. Such training programs would be tailored to the specific needs of each sector.
• AI Observatory: Establishing AI observatories would allow policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to monitor the latest AI advancements, providing data for better-informed decision-making and curriculum updates.

The report calls on industry leaders, policymakers, and educators to direct their efforts toward a pan-European approach to building AI competencies, as only a coordinated approach can ensure the EU remains globally competitive. Dr. Alan Berg from the University of Amsterdam states, "Our findings call for urgent action through an approach that will prepare workers for a digitally transformed world.”

Download the Full Report

Read the full report and explore how AI is reshaping European industries, the workforce, and the future of work: AI4VET4AI Report.