Continuous training in the age of AI: the career path that cannot be stopped
10.02.2026
In an environment where innovation is advancing at a breakneck pace marked by technology and artificial intelligence, continuous training is no longer an option but a requirement. The speed with which generative models, automation tools and algorithms capable of processing massive amounts of data evolve forces professionals – even those trained only a few years ago – to constantly update themselves. The collaboration between companies and educational centers emerges as well as an essential pillar to sustain that rhythm.
While academic institutions provide the scientific foundation and critical thinking, companies contribute practical experience and access to emerging technologies. From this symbiosis arise dynamic training programs, capable of responding to the real needs of the industry and preparing profiles that combine technical solvency with understanding of current challenges.
Digital transformation has also reconfigured the most in-demand skills map. To the knowledge in data analysis, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence are added transversal competences that have become essential: critical thinking, communication, collaborative work and adaptability. In a landscape where machines are increasingly taking on repetitive tasks, these human capabilities become the real differentiator.
The idea of learning only during the academic stage already belongs to the past. Today’s working life demands permanent recycling, and companies know it: That is why they strongly promote upskilling and reskilling programs that allow their staff to acquire new skills, especially in key technological areas. This effort not only increases the employability of workers, but also strengthens the competitiveness of organizations and accelerates the adoption of innovations.
Spain faces this scenario with a clear opportunity: an expanding technological ecosystem and a sustained demand for specialised talent. But capitalising on it will depend on the ability to strengthen STEM training, strengthen collaboration between institutions and businesses, and consolidate a culture of continuous learning. Reducing the talent gap will not only make it possible to fill current vacancies, but also to define whether the country will lead – or fall behind – in the digital revolution that is already underway.
State of European Tech 2025: what hot topics emerge for Luxembourg?
07.02.2026
Atomico recently published the 2025 edition of its annual State of European Tech report: an in-depth analysis of the European tech ecosystem. Below are some highlights from the report, and an analysis of the lessons that Luxembourg can extract from it in its efforts to lead on the European digital transformation. We also look at the hot topics for Luxembourg based on insights from the report.
Taking stock of the EU tech ecosystem today: huge leap in growth overshadowed by growing talent shortage
Bolstered investment in tech has led to growth on EU-wide scale
Growth in the EU tech sector has surpassed expectations, with the tech ecosystem jumping in value (from less than $1T a decade ago to around $4T in 2026). Today, Europe’s tech ecosystem represents 15% of the bloc’s GDP. In 2016, a decade ago, this figure stood at just over 4%).
Investment is also rising, although nowhere near its largest bump back in 2021, as the graph below illustrates. According to the report, current data shows investment in tech start-ups is on track to finish at around $44B, showing a marked increase since 2024.
Total capital invested in Europe (in billion dollars) for the period 2016 – 2026.
Deep tech is also fuelling investment rates upwards. In 2025, 36% of European venture capital (VC) dollars went into deep tech companies. In 2021, this figure was just 19%. At the same time, the EU still lags behind its counterparts on a global scale both in terms of deep-tech investment size, but also concentration.
Empowering digital talent – key to addressing persisting EU-wide gaps
Entrepreneurship is on the rise globally, and especially in Europe, against the backdrop of an increasingly faster race for innovation. In 2025, almost 60% more people in Europe started companies compared to 2023, representing the highest number of enterprise founders starting new ventures than any other year. Lowered barriers for starting entrepreneurs and businesses (from no-code tools to stronger founders networks) have opened the door for many with ideas, across all age groups and countries in Europe.
Count of founders who started new companies, year by year (2016 – 2025) in Europe
Key lessons the report’s challenges to take stock of (a Luxembourgish perspective)
Luxembourg performs strongly in the EU-27 across several indicators, and its tech ecosystem has been growing steadily over the past decade. Investment in deep tech in Luxembourg seen significant long-term venture activity, with over $1.9 billion in total funding invested in deep tech start-ups in Luxembourg for the period 2016 to 2026.
Here are the key lessons for Luxembourg that can be extracted – and some of the challenges the State of European Tech 2025 report lays bare.
A growing sense of urgency to reduce EU-wide fragmentation of the tech ecosystem
While more people in Europe are opening up companies, lack of trust undermines positive scoring: 70% of founders consider the European environment too restrictive for a starting tech company to grow and thrive in. Amongst the largest obstacles are market fragmentation, difficulties in accessing finance, and overly complicated and cumbersome tax system (in some EU Member States more than others). Initiatives such as EU-INC and the future 28th Regime for Innovative Companies aim to facilitate cross-border operation and accelerate business creation.
The “growth gap”: lack of late-stage capital despite stable investment
As seen earlier in this article, venture capital investments remain stable, but large-scale fundraising is lacking. European pension funds invest very little in tech compared to the US – and catching up would add hundreds of billions to the European ecosystem. Another danger is the magnitude of foreign investment in Europe – an aspect that can push start-ups out of the continent.
The “talent gap”: attracting and retaining senior, high-level profiles
Europe has a strong tech workforce, but is struggling to retain experienced talent. More and more founders are choosing to set up their business in the United States for a variety of reasons – from accessing capital and customers more easily, to benefitting from more flexible regulation.
Deep tech and growing sovereignty
Deep tech now accounts for 36% of VC investments and sovereignty technologies (AI, defence, energy) are growing strongly. Europe is also proving its ability to create competitive AI players such as Mistral or Lovable.
We don’t have time to wait. Denmark needs a targeted effort to ensure that we as citizens and society build the necessary digital competences to handle artificial intelligence. The government should undertake work to identify and describe the competences needed to:
Assess the credibility of the answers provided by e.g. ChatGPT
Determine when it is reasonable and relevant to replace human knowledge with machinery
Take a position on what should be regulated and what best unfolds freely
Targeted digital education
An obvious place to start is the subject of technology comprehension in school. Here, the content can be expanded to also address the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence. Secondly, public education associations, folk high schools and voluntary associations should be involved in the task, so that the entire population is given the opportunity to be dressed for the challenges of the time. It is really about strengthening our tradition of an enlightened population that can relate critically and constructively to new technologies. And it’s about maintaining the ability to produce and assess knowledge, no matter where it comes from.
If we as citizens and as a society do not become much more competent in relation to the opportunities and challenges offered by artificial intelligence, we will lose the ability to control development and shape it for our own and common good. We must therefore clarify what we must be able to do – individually and collectively – in order not only to remain uninformed consumers.
Maintaining control over AI development
It is imperative that we all deal with artificial intelligence. We simply cannot escape. Intelligence is already built into a myriad of products that we use without hesitation – and with great benefit – in our daily lives: Search engines, chatbots, spell checks, music services and social media. At the same time, we are increasingly using AI to summarize entire disciplines, analyse huge amounts of data, solve complex problems and propose solutions to knotty problems – and then reproduce the results directly or in an adapted form.
So far, so good. But it is urgent that we take a position on whether artificial intelligence should play the role and gain the credibility that it seems on its way to. The question arises both in everyday life and in the workplace: Should we let an algorithm determine what we hear from music just because it knows our taste better than we do ourselves? Should we accept that a chatbot takes the colleague’s role as sparring partner because it is faster and more secure in the answer? Should we demand that the diagnosis from the doctor be double-checked by an artificial counterpart? The general question is whether non-human-based knowledge should still play a decisive role.
Navigating the opportunities and risks
The questions may seem overwhelming, and the debate often takes the form of either-or: Either artificial intelligence is the key to solving all the world’s problems, or it is a threat to our human dignity and self-determination. Either it frees up enormous resources, or we run the risk of machines taking over and outperforming us. The truth is that AI encompasses the whole spectrum – from the most positive to the most dystopian prospects.
Therefore, it will be crucial that we acquire the competences that enable us to make reflected choices, influence politicians and business leaders and act as conscious citizens, users and consumers. Only in this way can we take part in shaping the development that is already in full swing.
