Topic 4: AI literacy and workforce competency

The fourth Ministerial Symposium Challenge Roundtable explored how education systems can equip learners and educators with the skills to participate in and drive digital transformation, while preparing for a future increasingly shaped by AI.

Participants explored the barriers to developing these capabilities before turning their attention to potential solutions and commitments. The discussion highlighted the need for education systems to strengthen AI literacy and workforce readiness, with a particular focus on supporting educators, establishing clearer skills frameworks and strengthening collaboration between government, education and industry.

A major theme was the importance of supporting those responsible for developing the skills of others. Participants discussed a ‘train the trainer’ approach, recognising that educators and trainers themselves need the right support if they are to help learners build new capabilities.

Creating a supportive ecosystem around educators was considered particularly important. Participants highlighted the value of giving trainers opportunities to experiment with AI and emerging technologies, alongside incentives and support that can help enable change.

The group also discussed the role of standardised frameworks in providing greater clarity and consistency. As AI continues to develop, shared skills frameworks could provide guidelines for education systems working to build AI literacy and workforce competency, helping establish a clearer understanding of the capabilities required.

At the same time, participants recognised the challenge of developing frameworks for a technology that is changing rapidly. Continuous feedback loops and channels between stakeholders were therefore identified as important mechanisms for helping education systems respond to the pace of change.

Partnership was another strong theme throughout the discussion. Participants emphasised that government, industry and the education sector need to work together during this period of transformation. Bringing these different perspectives together can help connect education with developments in technology and changing workforce requirements, while creating opportunities for knowledge and experience to be shared across sectors.

Importantly, participants also highlighted the need for a user-centric, user-first approach. As education systems consider how AI skills are developed and how new technologies are introduced, the experiences and needs of the people using them should remain central to decision-making.

The discussion captured the dual role AI is beginning to play for education systems: AI is both the challenge and the solution. Its rapid development creates new demands for skills, training and adaptation, while also opening new possibilities for how education systems respond to change.

Across the conversation, a common priority emerged: developing AI literacy and workforce competency cannot be treated as a one-off response to a single technology. It requires educators who are supported to develop their capabilities, frameworks that provide direction, partnerships that connect different areas of expertise and feedback mechanisms that allow education systems to continue adapting.

Key takeaway: Education systems need to strengthen AI literacy and workforce readiness through educator empowerment, standardised skills frameworks and sustained collaboration between government, education and industry. Continuous feedback and a user-first approach will be important in helping these systems remain responsive as AI and the skills surrounding it continue to evolve.