Fostering the Human Element of AI Diffusion
On 29 January 2026, Brussels served as the gathering point for the AIP2 Lab: Brussels – Powering People & Skills roundtable. Co-hosted by Access Partnership and Forum Europe, this invitation-only event brought together 22 representatives from European institutions, national governments, and industry partners such as Cisco, IBM, and Workday.
Core Themes and Policy Discussions
The roundtable was dedicated to exploring the people and skills dimensions of AI diffusion, ensuring that economies can effectively absorb AI technologies. The primary areas of focus included:
- Financing the “Human Layer”: Debating who bears the responsibility for funding the upskilling of the workforce as AI reshapes global labour markets.
- Operationalising Governance: Discussing how organizations can transition from high-level AI principles into actionable, operational governance structures.
- Inclusive AI Diffusion: Ensuring that the benefits and literacy of artificial intelligence reach all levels of the economy, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- The Evolution of Global Frameworks: Examining global AI governance with a specific emphasis on the EU AI Act and its broader international impact.
Distinguished Speakers and Experts
The event featured critical insights from prominent voices in European technology policy and employment:
- Brando Benifei: Member of the European Parliament.
- Malgorzata Nikowska: Head of Unit – AI Innovation & Policy Coordination at the European Commission’s AI Office.
- Chiara Monti: Deputy Head of Unit for Future of work, youth, and employment at DG Employment, European Commission.
Paving the Way for the India AI Impact Summit
As the third installment in the transnational AI Policy to Practice (AIP2) Lab series, the Brussels roundtable served as an official preparatory event for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The discussions actively informed the Global Skills and Adoption Blueprint and fed directly into the comprehensive Global South AI Adoption Framework & Playbook, shaping international AI strategies leading up to the global summit.