The AI Pioneers project is co-funded by the European Union until the end of 2025, but through our events and activities you have made it clear that we are too valuable to disappear. So here’s what we are going to do about it!

Forging the Future: The AI Pioneers Network Launches its Sustainability Plan

The conversation around Artificial Intelligence in education is everywhere. But for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Adult Learning sectors, finding a dedicated space for support, resources, and genuine community has been a challenge. For the past three years, the Erasmus+ funded AI Pioneers project has been that vital hub—and now, we’re thrilled to announce that the work is set to continue long into the future.

Today, we are proudly launching our Long-Term Sustainability Plan, a detailed roadmap that will transform AI Pioneers from a successful project into a permanent, self-sustaining European community of practice.

Why a Sustainable Network is Essential

When the AI Pioneers project began in early 2023, the world was just on the cusp of the Generative AI explosion. Since then, the landscape has transformed beyond recognition. While other education sectors have been saturated with debate, our research confirmed a critical gap: VET and Adult Education often lack the targeted research, strategic support, and collaborative networks needed to navigate this new terrain confidently.

AI Pioneers has already made significant strides in filling this void with:

• Our Supplement to the DigCompEdu Framework, downloaded over 10,000 times.
• A multilingual AI Toolkit, brimming with over 450 practical articles.
• A leading Ethics Schema and Handbook that places VET at the heart of the crucial AI ethics conversation.
• A vibrant LinkedIn community of over 1,040 followers and a popular weekly newsletter.

The immense response to these resources has shown one thing clearly: the need for a dedicated, ongoing network for AI in VET is essential.

A Member-Driven Future

Guided by the concrete commitments of our project partners, our sustainability plan outlines a future where AI Pioneers evolves into a formal, not-for-profit European Special Interest Group.

This new, member-driven entity will be built on a foundation of practical activities and tiered membership, ensuring everyone from individual trainers to large organisations can find value. We will continue to offer free access to core resources, complemented by premium content and benefits for those who wish to deepen their engagement and influence.

What to Expect in Year One: A Glimpse at the Roadmap

Key activities for our first year include:

• Formal Launch: Establishing our legal structure and opening tiered-membership registration.
• A Curated Calendar of Events: Hosting six expert-led webinars, including collaborations with major European bodies like the European Training Foundation and EDEN.
• A Flagship Annual Conference: This will be a premier event for the community.
• Consistent, High-Value Content: Weekly blog posts and LinkedIn discussions, a professionally curated newsletter, signposts to important publications, projects and information.

Ready to become an AI Pioneer?

Keep an eye on the website and LinkedIn page for news of the official launch and next webinar in the coming months.

Together, we can ensure that the AI Pioneers network remains the central hub for expertise, collaboration, and innovation in AI for Vocational Education and Training across Europe.

Stay tuned, and thank you for being part of our story.