The AI Pioneers Final Conference, taking place on 22–23 September 2025 at the University of Bremen, provides a platform for educators, researchers, and policymakers to engage critically with the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Vocational Education and Training (VET). The program features keynote presentations, parallel sessions, and workshops designed to explore AI’s impact on teaching, learning, and the development of essential competencies.

Keynote Presentations

The conference opens with two keynote presentations on Day 1, offering both industry and academic perspectives:

• Stefan Dietl, Global Head of Vocational Education, FESTO – “How AI Is Transforming Dual Vocational Training – Insights from Apprenticeship Training at FESTO”
  Stefan Dietl presents insights from FESTO’s apprenticeship programs, illustrating how AI tools support individualized learning and bridge the gap between vocational education and labor market requirements.
• Prof. Dr. Marco Kalz, Heidelberg University of Education – “Upskilling, Deskilling and Skillflation: A critical reflection on the AI skills discourse and implications for VET education”
  Prof. Kalz explores the evolving discourse around AI-related competencies, questioning which skills are essential for educators and learners, and examining implications for educational frameworks and workforce preparation.

Day 2 features a keynote by:

• Prof. Dr. Karsten D. Wolf & Prof. Dr. Andreas Breiter, University of Bremen – “Fostering Deep Learning Through Formative Feedback with AI: Toward a Learning Dialogue in VET”
  This presentation highlights how AI-driven formative feedback can enhance learner engagement and promote reflective and deep learning practice in vocational education.

Parallel Sessions

The conference program includes a series of parallel presentation sessions, each exploring distinct aspects of AI integration in VET:

• AI in VET: Concepts for sustainable education, factors promoting AI adoption in schools, and strategies for implementing AI in vocational education.
• Skill Up AI: AI for semantic learning analytics, AI labs for young learners, and comparative analyses of international AI skills frameworks (DigCompEdu, UNESCO, OECD).
• Human in the Loop: Teacher autonomy in AI use, practical AI tools for educators, and attitudes toward generative AI from a technology acceptance perspective.
• AI Starter Pack: Practical guides for teaching with AI, toolkits for educators, and challenges in adopting AI-based instructional design.
• Bot to the Future: Implementation of AI in industrial mechanics training, voice assistant support in vocational education, and AI-mediated instructional feedback.
• Support but Challenges: Opportunities and risks of AI in education sectors such as nursing, AI introduction in schools, and AI mentoring solutions for lifelong learning.

Workshops

Interactive workshops complement the presentations, offering hands-on exploration and discussion:

• AI integration strategies in vocational schools
• AI as a teaching content and educational tool
• Ethics and evaluation in AI-supported education
• Hands-on innovation for VET trainers through “AI unplugged” exercises

These workshops provide participants with practical experiences and encourage dialogue on ethical, pedagogical, and strategic considerations for AI adoption.

Networking and Reflection

The program also includes dedicated networking sessions, panel discussions, and reflection periods designed to share insights from across Europe’s AI education landscape, discuss lessons learned and best practices, and reflect on next steps for transitioning from AI pioneers to AI adopters.

The AI Pioneers Final Conference serves as both a culmination of the Erasmus+ project and a forward-looking platform, stimulating debate, showcasing research, and equipping educators and policymakers with evidence-based strategies to responsibly integrate AI into VET.

📅 Dates: 22–23 September 2025
📍 Location: University of Bremen, Germany
🔗 Conference Registration: https://aipioneers-fc.itb.uni-bremen.de