The recent survey conducted by Luxinnovation and FEDIL on artificial intelligence highlights the profound disruptions ahead for companies in terms of skills and resources.
Jean-Michel Gaudron
There is little doubt that artificial intelligence, and in particular, generative AI (GenAI), is becoming a decisive strategic lever for businesses. The latest national survey conducted by Luxinnovation and FEDIL, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub (L-DIH), reveals a positive trend within Luxembourg’s industrial landscape.
Of the 114 companies surveyed (mainly from the manufacturing, IT, construction, and logistics sectors), 63% reported being at an advanced level of AI maturity.
It is no longer just a question of integrating technology, but of building a human, organisational, and technical ecosystem. Mickael Desloges, Luxinnovation
This finding demonstrates a strong appetite for digital transformation: notably, 8 out of 10 manufacturing companies expect tangible gains in cost reduction and operational efficiency.
However, the challenges faced by companies using AI are considerable, starting with the need to rethink their approach to skills. For 71% of companies with lower AI maturity, the lack of in-house expertise is a major obstacle to adopting artificial intelligence.
“It is no longer just about integrating technology, but about building a human, organisational, and technical ecosystem capable of managing it, using it effectively, and making it reliable,” explains Mickael Desloges, Senior Advisor at Luxinnovation.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly viewed as a tool to enhance human skills and productivity rather than replace them entirely. The survey results show that many companies rely heavily on off-the-shelf AI solutions, choosing readily available tools to integrate technology into their processes and address the current skills shortage. “However, this strategy may limit their ability to fully exploit AI for highly personalised or innovative applications,” the study warns.
Developing these skills internally remains a major challenge. Sara Bouchon, Luxinnovation
More specifically, over 60% of companies identified skills gaps in data analysis and management, followed closely (58%) by machine learning and modelling expertise. “For many companies, especially smaller ones, developing these skills internally remains a major challenge. As a result, many turn to external partners, hybrid models, or specialised consultants to bridge the gap,” notes Sara Bouchon, Director of Market Intelligence at Luxinnovation.
To support this need, the national innovation agency has produced a map identifying all private and public players active in the artificial intelligence value chain.
However, the study by Luxinnovation and FEDIL reveals a gap between the availability of AI training resources and their actual use by companies. Yet, as part of its mission, the Luxembourg Digital Innovation Hub (L-DIH) has developed a programme designed to meet the majority of AI skills needs across different sectors.
This offer clearly still lacks visibility, as 61% of the companies surveyed said they were not aware of it. In partnership with the University of Luxembourg Competence Centre, L-DIH has created a tailor-made programme capable of addressing most AI skills requirements in various industries.
One promising solution is the Digital Skills Maturity Assessment (DSMA), developed by the Competence Centre of the University of Luxembourg under the European L-DIH project. Targeting industrial and manufacturing SMEs based in Luxembourg, the DSMA combines quantitative and qualitative methods to assess a company’s digital skills.
This process provides a detailed picture of a company’s current capabilities and highlights the skills needed in the future. The result is a practical roadmap with tailored recommendations for upskilling, training, and strategic workforce development. This allows organisations to boost productivity through smarter use of technology and to design more effective training plans and career development strategies.
Thanks to financial support from the European Commission and the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy, the DSMA service is completely free for eligible companies. “It’s an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and tangible results, while removing financial barriers,” concludes Mr Desloges.
