OpenAI and Allied for Startups have announced the release of a new report called “Hacktivate AI”. The report contains 20 ideas to accelerate AI adoption in Europe and precedes the European Commission’s unveiling of its Apply AI Strategy, which will encourage the real use of AI in business and the public sector.
The report is the result of a policy hackathon held in Brussels, where 65 participants including representatives from EU institutions, governments, enterprises, SMEs, and specialists. The ideas contained within are described as “real, workable ideas.”
The 20 ideas in the report focus on three themes: helping people learn skills, making it easier for every sector to use AI, and cutting red tape. Some of the key proposals include the introduction of an Individual AI Learning Account to empower individuals on their professional journey.
Another proposal is for the creation of an AI Champions Network to encourage AI adoption specifically by SMEs. Another suggests sharing resources for the public sector through a European GovAI Hub. One of the recurring themes in the report is simplification, including a call for relentless harmonisation to advance the Digital Single Market.
OpenAI said separate research performed by itself on ChatGPT usage in the workplace confirms that while AI adoption is increasing, it remains uneven between digitally mature and adapting sectors. The research found that IT and finance lead the way in usage, followed by manufacturing. OpenAI believes that this uneven adoption shows the need for targeted interventions to help organizations across the economy adopt AI into daily work.
The Hacktivate AI report builds on OpenAI’s existing policy work, including the EU Economic Blueprint and its earlier endorsement of the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice. OpenAI said that it’s already investing in skills accessibility through initiatives like OpenAI Academy, which has so far supported over two million people with free AI learning courses. It’s also already working with governments to boost public sector and education adoption. OpenAI hopes that it can continue working with public and private partners to achieve a “collective European success story” that results in prosperity.