Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Georg Spöttl (The University of Bremen) posed the critical question: Is AI bridging gaps or building walls in education? Discussions throughout the event emphasized that AI can be an equalizer—if access to AI education is expanded and human-centered approaches remain central. Workshops provided practical insights, exploring AI-powered training programs, workplace AI literacy, and AI-integrated curricula to ensure that vocational education keeps pace with industry needs.

Trust and ethics in AI were also key themes. Prof. Dr. Uta Wilkens (HumAIne) emphasized that TVET should foster human-AI role development while maintaining critical thinking as a core competency. She also highlighted the need for job design and ergonomics to be integrated into AI-focused training, ensuring that AI enhances—not disrupts—human work environments. Meanwhile, Daniel Büchner (IBM) outlined the AI-driven skills that will define the workforce of the future, including adaptability and human-machine collaboration. Participants actively engaged in discussions, contributing their perspectives on AI’s role in education and workforce development.

The Fraunhofer IFF demonstrated at the Expert Meeting how AI is already influencing modern production systems—a trend that is set to intensify in the future. In the Elbfabrik Technikum and the 360°-Mixed-Reality-Lab Elbedome, participants had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research projects, showcasing how AI can preserve and share empirical knowledge, simplify automation and robotics, and contribute to achieving sustainability goals. The Expert Meeting on AI and TVET demonstrated that AI is not just the future—it is already reshaping education and work. Insights from the event will contribute to future research, collaborations, and policy recommendations, ensuring AI serves as a tool for empowerment and workforce innovation.