Building future-oriented AI skills in the company

Why AI skills are essential for the future

Can you remember the last technological change in your company? Perhaps it was the introduction of new software. It took a while for everyone to get used to it, and there were certainly one or two challenges. But what happens when the next change is not just software, but artificial intelligence that turns the entire business model on its head?  

Because the fact is: artificial intelligence is already a reality, and sooner or later no company that wants to remain competitive will be able to avoid its introduction. The crucial question that companies need to ask themselves today is therefore not: which AI tools are we introducing, but do our employees have the necessary AI skills to actively shape this transformation? This is because the gap between the current skills of the workforce and the skills required to use AI effectively is constantly growing due to the rapid pace of technological progress. This so-called "future readiness gap" presents companies with immense challenges.  

If you recognize this gap early on, you can take targeted measures to make your employees fit for the future of AI. The development of AI skills plays a crucial role in this.

When the AI Act comes into force in 2025, companies will also be obliged to ensure that their employees have the necessary AI skills. This makes it all the more important to take action now and implement appropriate training measures.

The AI Act and future obligations to develop AI skills

From February 2025, the EU AI Regulation (AI Act) of the European Union will impose new obligations on companies. Among other things, this includes an obligation to provide evidence that employees have the necessary AI skills to a sufficient extent (Art. 4 AI Regulation). This applies not only to companies that develop or distribute AI systems, but also to those that use AI systems under their own responsibility, which makes them operators within the meaning of the regulation.

The regulation brings with it a number of obligations for companies:

• Training and education: Companies must develop strategies to ensure that their employees have the necessary skills to deal with AI systems. This includes training programs that provide employees with a solid understanding of how AI works and the risks involved.

• Transparency and documentation requirements: Companies are obliged to draw up internal guidelines on the use of AI and ensure that these are adhered to. This also includes the documentation of training measures and the AI systems used.

This is not just a question of goodwill, but a necessity in order to avoid legal consequences. Violations of the requirements of the AI Regulation can lead to fines.  

The Content Collection is a suitable e-learning offer that includes numerous courses on many everyday topics related to artificial intelligence. These e-learning courses comply with the AI Act (Art. 4 AI Regulation). In this way, you can raise your employees' awareness of the importance of these topics.  

What are AI skills? An overview

When we talk about AI skills, many people initially think of programming skills or an understanding of complex algorithms. But the reality is much more complex.  

AI skills are the abilities that employees and managers need to effectively use and develop artificial intelligence in companies. They encompass a broad spectrum of skills that go far beyond purely technical knowledge. At its core, it is about understanding AI technologies, applying them in a targeted manner and critically reflecting on their impact.

The central AI skills include:

• Data analysis: This involves the ability to collect, process and interpret information from various sources in order to gain valuable insights. This skill is important in many areas, whether it is to better understand customer behavior, optimize processes or make well-founded decisions.

• Closely linked to this is knowledge of machine learning. This includes an understanding of various algorithms and the ability to develop and train machine learning models. One specific application would be the development of systems for image recognition in quality control.

• Ethical competence is another important AI skill. Given the far-reaching impact of AI decisions, professionals must be able to recognize ethical implications and deal with them responsibly. This can relate to fairness in AI-supported personnel decisions, for example.

• Problem-solving skills and critical thinking are also required. Employees must be able to analyze complex challenges and develop creative solutions.  

• Last but not least, communication skills play an important role. AI specialists must be able to explain complex technical concepts in an understandable way and collaborate with specialists from other areas. This is particularly relevant when implementing AI solutions in existing business processes.

Companies that specifically promote these skills create the basis for the successful integration of artificial intelligence into their organizations.

A look at the AIComp competency model: the 12 AI key competencies

To support companies in the systematic development of AI skills, the NextEducation Research Group at DHBW Karlsruhe has developed the AIComp model. Based on an extensive study of over 1,600 professionals, the model identifies 12 key skills that are essential for successfully dealing with AI. These 12 key competencies are divided into three areas:  

• Work and activity: Includes skills for direct interaction with AI systems.

• Social environment: Includes collaboration and communication skills in an AI context.

• Personal development: focus on responsible handling and critical consideration of AI.

This categorization enables a holistic view of the required AI skills and supports companies in implementing targeted development measures in all relevant areas.

For companies and educational institutions, the AIComp model serves as a valuable guide for developing targeted and sustainable training strategies. It ensures that your employees not only build up technical know-how, but also develop the ability to use AI responsibly and make meaningful changes to their work. This makes the AIComp model an important tool for closing the future readiness gap. ‍

Would you like to learn more about how you can develop your employees' AI skills? In our white paper, we take a deeper look at the AIComp competency model and the topic of AI & e-learning in Haufe Akademie .