There is no denying that the digital capabilities of any country, business, or entity significantly impact its competitiveness on the world stage or in the global marketplace. Leveraging secure digital technologies allows organizations to improve efficiency and productivity, respond to market demands faster, and innovate effectively. However, without a skilled workforce-whether it's basic IT skills or more advanced competence in AI, cybersecurity, or networking-the full potential of those digital capabilities will never be fully realized.

The Cisco 2024 AI Readiness Index highlights the extent of the challenge: only 9% of EU businesses are confident in their workforce's skills, compared to 21% in the United States. This gap signals an urgent need for strategic investment in digital skills development-a driving reason for my visit to Brussels this week to engage policymakers, thought leaders, and other stakeholders.

AI and cybersecurity are not merely technological buzzwords; they are transformative forces reshaping societies and economies. And the digital skills that power AI and cybersecurity solutions will be the foundation for the EU to thrive in this new digital age.

Cisco's Commitment to Digital Skills in the EU

In March 2023, Cisco pledged to support the EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy and train 250,000 people across Europe in cybersecurity over three years. I am proud to share that we have already surpassed this target-training over 280,000 individuals with more than six months remaining.

At Cisco, our commitment to up-skilling and reskilling has been long-standing. We have been actively engaged in shaping the future of digital education through our Networking Academy-one of the longest-running skills-to-jobs programs globally. In the EU alone, the Cisco Networking Academy has reached over 3.2 million learners-with more than 620,000 achieving industry-recognized certifications, positioning them as competitive players in the global talent network.

By offering tech education via robust public-private partnerships, high-quality curriculum, and inclusive workforce development programs, we can create a robust pipeline of AI and cybersecurity talent in the workforce while also addressing the skills gap.

What's Next?

Looking to the future, we're excited to launch our new Digital Awareness courses, which are aligned with the EU's Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp). These courses, accessible to all European citizens regardless of their digital literacy, cover essential topics like basic cyber hygiene and resilient practices with connected devices. The initial courses are available now, with more launching in February 2025.

We've also recently launched an introduction course to Modern AI. In the new year, we'll present two free AI courses to build foundational knowledge in AI as well as explore topics like generative AI and its application across various IT roles. And, as Europe transitions towards reindustrialization and strengthens its strategic autonomy, our Industrial Networking and Cybersecurity courses are preparing the workforce to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities of Industry 4.0.

Equipping Europeans with Skills for the Digital Future

In a world where AI and cybersecurity are integral to daily life, closing the digital skills gap is more critical than ever. As Europe seeks to lead in the AI era, these skills will enable individuals to access new opportunities and allow businesses to thrive in a continuously evolving market.

At Cisco, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring everyone can contribute to and benefit from the digital economy-regardless of their starting point. Through initiatives like the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium and our Networking Academy-as well as our work with governments around the world to advance digital skills policies-we are paving the way for a 21st-century workforce that can tackle the challenges of the future with confidence and competence.