On May 14, StrategEast hosted its fourth virtual roundtable discussion titled “AI and the Workforce of the Future: Reskilling, Upskilling, and Preparing for Change.” The session brought together global and regional experts, policymakers, business leaders, and educators to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the labor market and how countries can adapt through workforce development strategies.
Moderated by Hanna Myshko, Regional Director at StrategEast, the session opened with a comprehensive overview of AI’s growing impact on industries worldwide and its implications for workforce readiness. The discussion centered on the strategies needed to prepare employees for AI-driven roles, including public-private cooperation, digital literacy programs, and the integration of AI into education systems.
Georgi Kaludov, Technical Vitality Development Manager at IBM, delivered the keynote address, outlining IBM’s approach to workforce transformation and the importance of scalable AI education initiatives. He emphasized the role of initiatives like IBM’s Client Zero Global Initiative, which has engaged over 150,000 employees globally to identify automation opportunities.
A regional panel followed, featuring experts from Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia. Speakers included Dmytro Voitekh, Advisor to Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy; Irina Buzu, Digital Integration Analyst at UNDP Moldova; Anush Ayvazyan, Educational Programs Lead at the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST); Marina Bzovîi, Administrator of Moldova Innovation Technology Park; and Tornike Tsiramua, a Georgian startup founder. The panel addressed national policies on AI, challenges in workforce reskilling, and the need for collaborative regional strategies.
Participants also shared practical insights, such as the launch of an upgraded digital employment platform in Ukraine, the Generation AI program in Armenia, and AI certification initiatives in Moldova.
In closing, Hanna Myshko emphasized the importance of sustained cross-sector collaboration and exchange, as well as long-term partnerships between the public and private sectors to develop forward-thinking strategies across various aspects of AI development and application.
This event is part of the AI Policy Dialogue Initiative, led by StrategEast in collaboration with RECONOMY, which fosters discussions on AI governance, ethics, and sectoral applications in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia.
