ALCHIMIA Project’s Training Programme

By Rachel Hale, Dean Stroud, Martin Weinel and Vinicio Di Iorio

The social science team have developed the ALCHIMIA Project’s Training Programme, based on existing good practices, findings and recommendations.  The training programme incorporates solutions for non-expert users which will allow them to understand basic AI, data, robotics concepts, including the basics concepts of Trustworthy and ethical AI.   Beyond meeting emerging skill needs, the training programme should also facilitate worker acceptance, ensure the optimal use of Federated-Learning-based AI systems, and guarantee the highest level of trust, safety and seamless collaboration between workers and technology.

The training programme will be reported in a forthcoming project deliverable, which outlines the potential aspects, rather than a ready-made training product because companies have different needs and a one-size-fits-all training product does not meet the requirements of all potential users. The potential training programme includes a comprehensive identification of potential competence/skill requirements arising out of use of ALCHIMIA system, and an extensive identification of potential competence/skill requirements linked to wider digital transformation of European companies in the metal sector. 

The team found very limited training requirements arising directly out of AI system because it works largely automatically and autonomously in the background (black box), and it provides decision-support, and thus does not fundamentally change any of the existing tasks and processes.  However, there are more extensive training requirements if implementation of the ALCHIMIA system is part of a wider digital transition of a company. Potentially, the requirements might include a mix of transversal and technical skills (T-shaped skills).

The main focus in the report is on transversal skills needs arising from digitalisation focusing on the following areas:               

• Competence Requirements to operate ALCHIMIA system
• Specific Transversal Competence Requirements
• General Transversal competences
  – Personal Competences
  – General Transversal Competences for Senior Staff
  – Social Competences
  – Methodological Competences
  – Digital Competences
  – Environmental Competences