AI competence -

mmb Trendmonitor 2024/2025

The recently published mmb Trendmonitor 2024/2025 shows a change in the vocational training landscape that was only a matter of time: Artificial intelligence tops the list of key learning topics for the first time, a paradigm shift that heralds a new era after years of dominance by "classic" IT skills. While IT applications now only rank 4th, AI has taken the lead with an average score of 1.7 and has even relegated future skills (such as media skills and creative problem solving) to second place.

AI competence is more than just another compulsory training course

First of all, I would like to say that I think it makes a lot of sense that "AI skills" are not subsumed under the diffuse term of future skills in the study. AI is already very concrete and relevant today, and I am convinced that in a few years' time we will think of AI training in the same way we think of computer driving licenses today - as a self-evident and integral part of our professional qualifications

With the EU AI Act, AI competence has now even become mandatory training, and it makes perfect sense for corporate learning professionals to start by addressing these legal requirements. They can be a valuable starting point on the path to "true AI competence ". After all, the AI Act requires targeted tailoring to the prior knowledge, field of activity and risk class of the learners - the "one size fits all" principle does not work here.

However, it would be fatal to see AI expertise as just another annoying compulsory training course alongside data protection, occupational safety, etc. Anyone who thinks this way completely fails to recognize the transformative potential of AI. AI is by no means just a skills issue, but a transformational issue for every individual and for entire organizations.

The decisive difference to classic compulsory training

Traditional mandatory training such as compliance, fire protection or data protection is usually about minimizing risks. AI competence, on the other hand, aims to exploit opportunities AI will become such an inevitable and integral part of our work that Learning & Development will have to take a completely different approach here.

I therefore see the AI Act and its Article 4 on mandatory training as a welcome opportunity to take a serious look at the question: How can we build the necessary AI skills in people? Not as a bureaucratic compulsory exercise, but as a strategic investment in the future viability of companies and their employees.

The results of the study thus confirm a trend that I have been observing for some time: AI skills are not just one new topic among many, but a fundamental building block for the vocational training of the future. And if I may be so self-promotional at this point: You can find our solutions for building AI skills in your company here.

You can download the current trend monitor here.