People and Skills as the Core of AI Diffusion
On January 29, 2026, a pivotal gathering took place in Brussels, where representatives from government, industry, and civil society convened for the third AI Policy to Practice (AIP2) Lab. The focus of this meeting was to explore the people and skills dimensions of AI diffusion, which are essential for ensuring that economies not only adopt but also effectively absorb AI technologies.
Key Themes of Discussion
The discussions revolved around four critical themes:
- Funding
- Moving from Principles to Practice
- AI Diffusion for All, Including SMEs
- Implications for the AI Impact Summit in India
Participants examined the global evolution of AI governance, particularly focusing on the EU and its AI Act. They exchanged ideas on how to operationalize governance within organizations and assessed the various challenges—investment, workforce, and regulatory—that continue to shape AI uptake across different regions.
Financing the “Human Layer”
A significant question raised during the Lab was: who should finance the upskilling of the workforce in light of AI’s reshaping of labor markets? Participants debated the distribution of responsibility between governments and the private sector, emphasizing the need for aligned incentives to foster continuous, lifelong learning.
A critical factor in stimulating funding is demonstrating a real return on investment. Although individual usage of AI has increased in the EU, many companies have yet to realize the benefits or efficiencies promised by AI.
The rollback of Article 4 (AI literacy) in the EU AI Act prompted discussions on bridging the gap between principles and actual implementation. It was noted that while AI is increasingly employed for tasks requiring minimal human judgment, strong foundations in AI literacy are crucial for building trust. Participants observed that people are often reluctant to use tools they do not trust.
SMEs and organizations beyond the tech sector remain hesitant to invest in AI literacy and workforce transformation, with many still unconvinced about the return on investment and struggling with compliance and governance complexities.
Operationalizing Governance
The group explored how organizations can transition from aspirational AI principles to operational governance frameworks, especially as regulatory expectations evolve. There is widespread global interest—from regions like Japan, Brazil, Africa, and the United States—in Europe’s regulatory journey.
While the “Brussels effect” remains strong, delays in the development of standards pose a risk of diluting the EU’s influence in shaping global AI norms.
Harmonization vs. Fragmentation
The group reflected on the implications of evolving regulatory landscapes for Europe, the United States, and the Global South, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming India Summit. Although unified frameworks like the EU AI Act provide clarity, global regulatory approaches are increasingly diverging, raising concerns about interoperability, compliance costs, and barriers to cross-border innovation.
Discussions centered on maintaining open innovation corridors while upholding European values and remaining economically competitive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, participants reaffirmed that the challenge extends beyond merely accelerating AI adoption; it encompasses enabling broad-based AI diffusion. This ensures that individuals and workers possess the right skills to harness the benefits that emerging technologies can offer across all sectors of society through inclusive governance, trust-building, and sustained cooperation.
