Abstract:

In the face of a rapidly evolving job market shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the need to equip learners with a balanced combination of technical competencies and critical soft skills has never been more urgent. As AI technologies increasingly infiltrate various aspects of life, education becomes a critical field requiring significant adaptation. This paper delves into the challenges and necessities of adapting educational systems to meet the demands of an AI-infused era. We underscore the pressing need for a comprehensive 'transformation strategy' within educational paradigms to close the gap between current practices and the future needs of the global economy, emphasising the importance of innovative pedagogies and holistic skill development. The disparity in educator readiness for AI implementation, combined with the differing research and development capabilities across EU countries, poses significant challenges in transforming education and enhancing research performance to align with AI advancements. To address these challenges, we adopt a proactive, bottom-up transformation strategy and introduce as an initial step an 'AI Readiness Training Model.' This holistic model is designed to stir educational systems towards adaptation, and hence thriving amid rapid advancements in AI technology. It serves as an initial step in the development of urgently required educational transformation strategies, thereby ensuring the sector's responsiveness to a dynamically evolving environment. We advocate for this transformation as essential not only for educational advancement but also for addressing wider societal challenges, thus paving the way for an educational ecosystem that is inclusive, adaptable, and equipped to face the realities of the 21st century. This article represents a foundational step in the launching of our transformation strategy that will enable educational institutions to effectively respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Keywords:

AI, AI readiness, educational transformation, training model, innovation in education, transformation strategies, holistic skill development, educator readiness, bottom-up transformation.