Lightcast and CEPS Present: “Future-Ready Workforces: Making the Most of AI for People and Places”

18/10/2024

In today’s rapidly changing world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major driver of transformation, reshaping industries, jobs, and entire regions. To stay competitive and ensure well-being, both people and places must be equipped with the right skills to harness the power of AI. But what does it mean to have a “future-ready” workforce, and how can regions prepare for the future of work?

In a joint event, Lightcast and CEPS brought together the latest research and policy insights to discuss how cities and regions across Europe can use AI and data to build future-proof workforces. The event, titled “Future-Ready Workforces: Making the Most of AI for People and Places,” explored two key themes: the skills needed to adapt to AI and the leading regional authorities leveraging skills intelligence to secure their labour market competitiveness.

AI & Complementary Skills: The Role of Transversal Skills for Employment

The first session dived into the types of skills that will be essential in the age of AI. As AI technology permeates all sectors, do we need purely AI-specific skills, or are human-centric, complementary skills equally important?

Experts highlight that while AI skills like machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing are in high demand, transversal skills—such as critical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability—are crucial for creating a human-centered, inclusive, and ethical approach to AI. These skills help people work effectively alongside AI, enhancing productivity and innovation while ensuring the technology serves humanity.

Regional Experiences: Harnessing Skills Data to Drive Competitiveness

The second half of the event focuses on how regional authorities across Europe are using skills intelligence and data to anticipate future labour market needs. Innovative regions like Emilia-Romagna and the Basque Country are leading the way in integrating data-driven approaches to workforce planning. By leveraging tools like job vacancy data and real-time labour market insights, these regions are creating talent strategies that align with the evolving needs of industries.

Lara Porciatti, from Emilia-Romagna, shared how they are developing a permanent system for skills anticipation, combining quantitative data from job postings and qualitative insights from industry clusters. This approach helps them stay ahead of trends, identifying the emerging skills needed to support industries like agri-food, green tech, and manufacturing.

In the Basque Region, the local talent agency (Bizakia Talent) has created a Basque Talent Map, using data to connect professionals with local companies and understand the region’s evolving skills demands. By collaborating with universities, vocational training schools, and businesses, they ensure that the education system is aligned with the region’s labor market needs.

Insights on the Future of AI and Work

During the event, a range of experts provided insights into how AI is shaping the workforce:

• Anna Giorgobiani (CEPS) presented research on eight clusters of AI-related skills, from machine learning to autonomous driving, and highlighted the regional disparities in AI talent demand across Europe.
• Dr. Fabian Stephany (Oxford Internet Institute) discussed the growing wage premium for AI-related roles, noting that beyond technical skills, employers increasingly value complementary skills like critical thinking and teamwork.
• Elena Magrini (Lightcast) introduced the concept of a Future-Ready Index, which measures how well cities and regions are preparing for the future of work by assessing their economic foundations, innovation capacity, and demographics. A report on this will be published in January 2025.

The event concluded with a call to action for policymakers and industry leaders to embrace data-driven decision-making and invest in both AI-specific and transversal skills. As AI continues to transform the labor market, regions that prioritize innovation, education, and skills development will be best positioned to thrive.

By fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, and educational institutions, and using advanced tools for skills intelligence, Europe can ensure its workforce remains resilient and future-ready in the age of AI.