How to boost education in data and AI skills

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) skills have become essential for innovation and competitiveness.

Find out more about how to boost education in data and AI skills.
Verena Braunschober

Verena Braunschober Follow

Reading time: 3 min

For Telefónica the ability to harness the power of data and AI is driving decisions, strategies, and future planning. Yet, despite their importance, there remains a significant skill gap in these areas. That is where we come in.

Our mission as a team of data analysts and scientists from a data analytics and AI department is to bridge this gap by empowering education in data and AI, providing learners of all backgrounds with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in a data-driven world.

First and foremost, we aim to drive awareness of data and AI topics across the company. To achieve this, we share insights through various newsletter formats, highlighting both external AI solutions on the market and internal use cases at Telefónica. These impulses ensure that everyone in the organization can stay informed about the latest trends and see real-world AI applications in action. Our AI Trend Radar is a prime example. It gathers insights by analyzing social media profiles of international AI experts, as well as various AI blogs, forums, and newsletters. Additionally, it monitors AI developments among German and international telecom providers, while also exploring the social dimensions of AI.

Another key focus is fostering a sense of community, as we believe that learning is most effective when it is collaborative. We aim to create a space where learners can connect, share knowledge, and grow together. Our online communities promote networking, mentorship, and peer support, encouraging participants to collaborate on projects and learn from one another’s experiences. They also offer opportunities to ask questions, share resources, and engage in discussions about the latest trends and advancements in data and AI. In addition to online communities, we host a range of networking events designed to facilitate the exchange of insights on data and AI, as well as to showcase Telefónica’s internal AI use cases.

In collaboration with the German Organizational Development & People department, we have designed a range of learning journeys to enhance data and AI skills throughout the company. Building data and AI literacy starts with a strong grasp of how to collect, analyze, and interpret data, which is the cornerstone of all data-driven decision-making. Our programs guide participants through the essentials of handling, cleaning, visualizing data, and drawing actionable insights. To ensure our offerings remain relevant, we continuously update these learning journeys to meet evolving skill demands. Recently, we expanded our curriculum with two new courses dedicated to artificial intelligence and generative AI.

We regularly offer job rotations in our field to help colleagues build their skills, and this approach has been highly successful. Through these rotations, participants gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of data analysis and AI, equipping them to work confidently with data and new tools. This not only fosters a strong data culture across the company but also brings fresh perspectives to specialist departments. Depending on their existing level of data knowledge, colleagues can learn different skills during their rotation and apply these new insights back in their home departments.

All these educational measures are based on our Analytical Insights Center (AIC) platform that offers everyone in the company digital and interactive access to the world of analyses and insights. From working students to the Management Board, everyone in the company can use the knowledge gained from customer, company, market and competitor data as a basis for individual services, new products and quick decisions.

In Summary, empowering education in data and AI is about more than just technical skills; it is about giving people the ability to shape the future. With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can become a data-driven problem solver, capable of making smarter decisions and driving innovation. Join us on this journey and let us build a smarter future together.

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