As new technologies cause rapid evolution in the workplace, a commonly heard lament among business leaders is, “We can’t find workers who have the digital skills we need.” However, one could easily turn the tables by asking business leaders across industries, “What practical steps are you taking to ensure schools are equipped with the tools and understanding to teach these skills?”
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way companies across sectors function, and business and educational leaders must work together to ensure industries have access to the skilled professionals they need and new graduates are prepared for what’s awaiting them in the work world. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council share practical ways schools and businesses can come together to ensure the next generation is ready for an AI-dominated workplace.
1. Projects Focused On Making AI Do More
As large language models evolve from just answering questions to thinking and acting on their own (chain of reasoning), education needs to shift from teaching people how to use AI to helping them think better alongside it. Schools and businesses should work together through hands-on AI projects, real-world case studies and mentorship so future generations can push AI to do more instead of just following commands. – Jae Lee, MBLM
2. AI-Integrated Apprenticeships
Foster AI-integrated apprenticeships where students gain hands-on experience with real-world AI applications. Businesses can provide mentorship, AI projects and industry insights, while schools embed AI literacy, ethics and problem-solving into curricula. This synergy ensures students develop practical AI skills aligned with workforce demands. – Timothy Kang, Fayston Preparatory School
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3. AI Learning Labs
Businesses and schools can collaborate by creating AI learning labs—joint spaces where students engage with AI to foster human creativity and productivity. Industry volunteers could mentor students on real-world applications like data analysis and machine learning, educating through hands-on experience. This prepares future talent for an AI-driven job market while strengthening the ties between industry and academia. – Emre Kazim, Holistic AI
4. AI-Integrated Curricula
Through joint hands-on collaborations and AI-integrated curricula, students can see firsthand how AI enhances productivity—with human input. Focus on teaching the future workforce to leverage AI for streamlining tasks, increasing engagement and making smarter decisions. Through this strategy, students can learn to harness AI as a powerful tool to drive innovation and improve results no matter their field. – Chase Williams, Pathify
5. Mentorship From Industry Experts
Businesses and schools could partner on hands-on AI projects in which industry experts mentor students. Companies could provide real-world datasets and challenges, while schools integrate these into their curricula. Students will gain practical experience with AI tools and learn about ethical considerations, while businesses help shape a workforce that’s ready for future tech demands. – Neel Sendas, Amazon
6. Open Discussion Platforms
Businesses and schools should focus on keeping students informed about the latest AI advancements. They should organize open discussion platforms where students can share their thoughts, ideas and future visions regarding AI. If needed, schools can also arrange training sessions with the help of local businesses featuring discussions about case studies and use cases. – Manish Mittal, OpenSource Technologies Inc.
7. Partnerships With Local Universities
Businesses can partner with local universities to help K-12 schools prepare future generations to adapt to an AI-driven job market. They can become more involved through STEM competition sponsorships, speaker programs and events, and businesses can create strong internship programs to give students experience in applying AI in their daily roles. – Igor Rikalo, o9 Solutions
8. Sponsorship Of STEM And Digital Skills Curricula
Businesses should sponsor STEM curricula and digital skill-building across K-12 schools—this is especially needed in rural, urban and low-income areas. We need to source and train enough talent to fill a job market spanning all roles and industries, which means investing in students who need extra support. Offering apprenticeships and scholarships can give them the real-world tech skills needed for trade jobs and software alike. – Marne Martin, Emburse
9. Free Access To AI-Driven Tools
Businesses developing AI-driven tools can bridge the skills gap by offering students free access for hands-on learning. This exposure not only equips future talent with real-world AI experience, but also ensures companies benefit from a workforce already trained in their technology. – Julius Černiauskas, Oxylabs
10. Sandbox Groups
Sitting on both sides—academia and industry—I’ve used this strategy a few times: Create sandbox groups where one group gets input and output variables, and another just gets input variables and is asked to simulate outputs. This prepares students to use AI and advanced analytics models to solve existing problems and to explore new solutions—both of which skills are needed in the new AI-driven job market. – Ramendra (Ram) Singh, Night Market (Horizon Media)
11. Assignments That Require Use Of AI Tools
Make using AI tools a necessary part of completing assignments. Knowledge workers of the future will be expected to maximize their output by supplementing their efforts with AI. Instead of discouraging student use of those tools, start requiring their use now. Even with AI support for tasks like research, copy editing or basic assignment structure, teachers will have plenty of room to grade based on creativity, polish and comprehension. – Dave Rosen
12. ‘AI Shadow Days’
Companies could create “AI Shadow Days” where students work alongside professionals to redesign traditional jobs using AI. They’ll experience firsthand how roles like accounting or marketing are evolving and brainstorm what new jobs might emerge. This flips the script from learning about existing AI to imagining its future impact. – Abhishek Sinha, Accenture
13. Hands-On Challenges
Create real-world AI projects for students. Businesses can partner with schools to design hands-on challenges, like building chatbots or analyzing datasets. Why? Because theory is great, but practice makes perfect. Students get to tinker with AI tools, businesses spot fresh talent and everyone wins. It’s like a sandbox for the future workforce—play today, lead tomorrow. – Dmitry Mishunin, HashEx
14. A Focus Shift Toward Problem-Solving
The focus on testing students on their ability to recall and recite known facts, formulas, dates and concepts must give way to testing their ability to assess the information provided, work across teams to solve complex problems and demonstrate creativity to develop innovative solutions in real-world situations. Only with this focus shift can we prepare them to succeed in an AI-augmented future. – Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Tential
15. Ensuring Industry Needs And Curricula Are In Sync
Schools should collaborate with businesses to ensure courses and curricula are in sync with industry demands in terms of skills. Having the fundamental skills that industry demands ensures quick employment and lots of opportunities. In addition, programs like co-ops, internships, “day in the life” business visits and other collaborative events would provide the next generation with a wealth of knowledge and experience. – Abhi Shimpi
16. Developing Synthetic Or Private Datasets
Industry and universities are already collaborating in the fields of biotech and bioinformatics. One impediment to this collaboration is sensitivity regarding IP sharing and patient privacy. AI and related technologies can help alleviate this problem by generating synthetic or differentially private datasets and making those available to students and researchers. – Eric Novik, Generable Inc.
17. Small-Scale, Tech-Driven Projects
Businesses and schools can collaborate to address everyday inefficiencies through small-scale, tech-driven projects. These micro improvements can optimize daily operations through AI, delivering value to businesses, while offering students hands-on experience and industry insights. – Andrea Prazakova, BrainGym
18. Digital Twin Internships
Start digital twin internships in which schools and companies work together to create AI simulations of real work processes. Students can handle task-based scenarios in a nearly real setting with remote guidance from industry mentors. This method connects academic ideas with actual AI problem-solving, helping graduates gain useful, modern skills before they join the job market. – Dr. Reji Thomas, TOL Biotech
19. Long-Term Research And Design Projects
Schools and businesses could create AI-driven, project-based learning programs where students tackle real-world challenges using AI tools. The projects can be structured as multiphase assignments, with students researching, designing and testing solutions. This hands-on approach builds critical thinking, teamwork and creativity while preparing students for future careers. – Shrushti Kenekar, Global Partners
