AI literacy and competency: The key to workforce readiness

Demand for AI skills across the globe has skyrocketed. European job postings requiring AI expertise grew by 109% in the past year. Employers now expect graduates to enter the workforce with AI literacy as a baseline competency, not a niche skill. This panel will explore what AI skills university students need to thrive in the workforce, how institutions are embedding these competencies into curricula, and the role of industry partnerships in accelerating readiness. Hear from experts in the field including Dr Helen Crompton (Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at Old Dominion University), Dr Christie Pritchard (Associate Dean of Education and Student Experience and the Head of the Centre for Teaching Enhancement and Innovation at the University of Plymouth), Dr Larry Rother (Intel's Global Director for the Public Sector Segment), and Delia DeCourcy (Lenovo Worldwide Education Senior Strategist) as they share insights on AI skilling needs, innovative programs, and strategies that empower students to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.