Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, and innovate. At the same time, its rapid development raises important questions about the skills and ethical foundations needed to use AI effectively and responsibly.
A key part of this discussion concerns how people are educated and trained to become AI literate. While more highly skilled AI professionals are entering the labour market, Europe still faces a shortage of ICT specialists with the skills needed to develop, deploy and use AI systems responsibly.
To support these efforts, CEN has just published the Workshop Agreement CWA 18398 ‘AI Professional Role Profiles and Educational Profiles’. Developed through a collaborative process, the document provides a common reference for describing AI-related roles, skills and educational profiles, and for linking them to established education types and proficiency levels. This shared language can help stakeholders better understand the competences needed in of today’s workforce and support the further development of AI professionalism.
Rather than offering an exhaustive taxonomy, the CWA provides a seminal reference point for the ongoing codification and systematization process of the AI profession. It presents role and educational profiles for AI professionals, maps competences, levels and skills, and provides templates that can be used by different stakeholders. It also distinguishes between different types of users (including lay users, professionals, and AI professionals) and places CWA 18398 in the context of other standardization deliverables and the AI Act. The document is based on the findings of the Artificial Intelligence Skills Alliance (ARISA) project.
The CEN Workshop that developed this CWA brought together individual experts, companies, and research institutions from around the world. The resulting document will support trainers and educators who are seeking to match learning outcomes with different AI roles at different levels. It can also help industry and the labour address skills gaps. Finally, it will also provide useful input for policymakers working to shape Europe’s response to the ever-changing digital landscape.
By helping to clarify AI-related roles and skills, CWA 18398 contributes to a more structured, transparent and responsible approach to AI professionalism in Europe and beyond.
