Fernanda Mier, Education Programme Manager for EIT Culture & Creativity, reports from Reskilling & Upskilling for an AI-Powered Manufacturing, an initiative organised by the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative at the innovation hub of Polytechnic di Torino. The event gathered key Italian Pledgers (educators, researchers, and industry leaders) to exchange bold ideas—from redefining customer experience through AI, to rethinking workforce development, and applying smart automation in industrial processes. The discussions tackled one central challenge: how to ensure adaptability, career growth, and long-term competitiveness in an AI-driven industrial landscape.
Figure 1, from left to right: Marta Albujar, Dahye Han, Fernanda Mier, Marta Molinero, Cosimo Musca, Francesca Barisini, Natalie Cernecka, Emilio Paolucci, Petros Aidonis, Giovanni Zenezini
EIT Culture & Creativity recently joined the EIT Community Strategic Education Cluster, which includes the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative (DTTI). Fernanda is convinced that cultural and creative ecosystems can contribute meaningfully to Europe’s deep tech ambitions by cultivating the human capacities that make innovation truly sustainable. Among the inspiring voices shaping the dialogue was Francesca Barisini, who at the time of the event was serving as Chief of Outreach at the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative. Today she is the newly appointed Director of Innovation at EIT Culture & Creativity, providing a crucial bridge between the cultural-creative and deep tech sectors.
Beyond its rich line-up of talks, this in-person gathering also marked a pivotal moment for the DTTI community. It provided a space for the organising team not only to reflect on achievements but to shape the next phase of this successful initiative. Strategic conversations took place—on new services, added value, and the road ahead for Pledgers committed to making Europe’s workforce resilient.
The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative started in 2023 with the aim of training a million of talents on deep tech by 2025, a goal that is poised to be achieved before the end of the Business Plan. EIT Culture & Creativity looks forward to being a dynamic partner in the next chapter of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative’s success story.
Fernanda Mier, Education Programme Manager, EIT Culture and Creativity
