Above image: Moderator: Konstantinos Georgiou (SKILLAB). Speakers: Dave Feenan (Digital Technology Skills); Ernestina Menasalvas (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid); Loredana Bucșeneanu(ARISA); Flavius Florea (Wolf Theiss); Viorel Băltărețu (Trend Furniture).
Digital Technology Skills was represented at Cluj Innovation Days 2026, where European leaders in technology, education, policy and business came together to examine the skills needed in the AI era.
The event took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on 28 and 29 May 2026. Now in its 14th edition, Cluj Innovation Days is the flagship event of Cluj IT Cluster and has become an established gathering point for Europe’s digital innovation community.
This year’s theme, “Skills in the AI Era”, focused on one of Europe’s most urgent priorities: how to prepare people, organisations and economies for the changes being driven by artificial intelligence.
AI, Jobs and Europe’s Talent Transformation
Dave Feenan, Director of Digital Technology Skills, participated in the panel discussion “AI and the Future of Work: Skills, Jobs and Europe’s Talent Transformation”.
The panel explored how AI is reshaping the world of work, changing skills requirements, and influencing Europe’s talent landscape. The discussion also addressed the role of upskilling, workforce transformation and organisational development in helping businesses respond to the opportunities and challenges created by AI.
“Across Europe, the pace of AI adoption is forcing a much sharper conversation about skills, competitiveness and workforce readiness. Cluj Innovation Days was a valuable opportunity to share how initiatives we are involved in are helping address that challenge through industry-aligned, stackable learning pathways in advanced digital technologies.” Dave Feenan, Director, Digital Technology Skills
Sharing Ireland’s Experience in AI Skills Development
Dave’s contribution to the discussion highlighted the importance of building practical, industry-informed skills pathways that can respond to the speed of technological change.
He shared examples from Ireland’s digital skills ecosystem, including the National MSc in Artificial Intelligence, co-created by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet with industry and academia and supported by Skillnet Ireland funding. The programme is designed to create a strong AI skills pipeline by supporting professionals to build advanced capability while remaining connected to industry needs.
Dave also referenced Digital Technology Skills’ involvement in the Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science, another initiative helping to strengthen Ireland’s capacity in advanced data and AI skills.
European Collaboration on Digital and AI Skills
The discussion also connected to Digital Technology Skills’ wider European project work, including involvement in ARISA, the AI Skills Alliance. ARISA is focused on addressing AI skills needs across Europe and supporting a coordinated response to the labour market changes being accelerated by artificial intelligence.
Digital4Business was also highlighted as an example of European collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners. The initiative supports advanced digital upskilling through stackable, accredited learning pathways, including areas such as Generative AI and AI for Business.
In addition, Dave’s attendance at Cluj Innovation Days created opportunities to connect Digital Technology Skills’ work across other European projects, including GreenShift, which focuses on advanced skills for greener, smarter and more sustainable mobility systems.
Building the Skills Europe Needs for the AI Era
Across the conversations at Cluj Innovation Days, a clear message emerged. Europe’s competitiveness in the AI era will depend not only on innovation, but on the speed, scale and accessibility of high-quality upskilling.
For Digital Technology Skills, this aligns closely with its mission to support digital skills development through industry collaboration, European partnership and practical learning pathways that respond to real workforce needs.
As AI continues to transform jobs, organisations and sectors, initiatives that connect education, industry and policy will be central to helping Europe build the talent base needed for long-term digital competitiveness.
Digital Technology Skills would like to thank Cluj IT Cluster and DIH4Society for hosting Cluj Innovation Days 2026 and for supporting a timely European discussion on skills, talent and the future of work.
