As a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Head of International Relations at the Lithuanian education and science trade union , I had the pleasure to welcome and to contribute to the “Future Skills Forum: Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Age,” held by the FINNOVA FOUNDATION on October 17th at the EESC headquarters in Brussels.
This forum brought together experts and key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by #digitalization, focusing on the urgent need for new skills in the rapidly evolving technological environment. During my opening remarks, I highlighted that one of the main obstacles in education today is the lack of understanding of new technologies. Digitalization is advancing at an unprecedented pace, yet many educators, especially those from older generations, are struggling to keep up. Upskilling teachers, particularly those at risk of being left behind, is crucial to bridging the gap between educators and students.
I also had the opportunity to speak in the “Education & Digital Skills” session, where we explored how artificial intelligence can personalize learning and better prepare students for the future. I was joined by esteemed experts such as Georgi Dimitrov (Head of Unit for Digital Education, European Commission), Óscar Belmonte (Associate Professor, Jaume I University), and Juan Manuel Revuelta (CEO, Finnova).
The event also featured insightful discussions on AI legislation and ethics, including contributions from Karine Caunes (Director, CAIDP Europe) and other AI and data protection experts. We concluded with a focus on Industry 4.0 and digital transformation, where experts like Hasan Suzen (President, Beyond the Horizon) and Massimiliano Dragoni (Senior Official, European Commission) emphasized the need for technological adaptation in an increasingly competitive industrial environment.
The forum was organized under the Erasmus+ funded projects MANUFACTURING4ALL and LivAI where Finnova is a partner. These projects are fostering innovation, particularly in AI education and advanced manufacturing technologies, to enhance competitiveness and sustainability across Europe. I’m proud to have been part of such an impactful event addressing the future of skills and digital transformation.
#FutureSkills #DigitalTransformation
#AIinEducation #Upskilling #Industry40
#ArtificialIntelligence #ErasmusPlus
#EdTech #Sustainability #AIethics
#DigitalSkills #LifelongLearning #EducationReform #EUProjects
