Digital Skills Talks 19th Episode ''GovTech: Skills for the Next Generation of Public Services

Why It Matters

Closing the GovTech skills gap is essential for Europe’s strategic digital autonomy and for delivering faster, interoperable public services that meet citizens' expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Public sector lacks advanced AI and data competency skills.
• Procurement processes need innovation-focused training and problem‑oriented approaches.
• Interoperability and digital architecture literacy are critical for reusable services.
• Soft skills like change management and strategic data leadership are missing.
• AI‑GovX program aims to train 3,000 civil servants across Europe.

Summary

The 19th episode of Digital Skills Talks focused on GovTech and the skill gaps hampering the digital transformation of European public administrations. Host Nathan Kvalo interviewed Stefanos, a programming manager at the European Commission, and Jan Luca, scientific director of the AI‑GovX project, to explore how emerging technologies intersect with public‑sector capabilities. Stefanos highlighted four critical deficiencies: limited knowledge of advanced AI and data analytics, outdated procurement practices that favor solutions over problem definition, insufficient interoperability and digital‑architecture literacy, and a shortage of soft skills such as change management and strategic data leadership. He cited the Digital Decade target, noting a 20% gap in basic digital skills and an even larger shortfall in specialized competencies. Jan Luca described AI‑GovX, a €20 million EU‑co‑funded initiative building on the earlier AI‑for‑Gov master program. The project will deliver a new multidisciplinary master’s curriculum—MAGICS—across Madrid, Milan and Brussels, aiming to train 3,000 public‑sector professionals in AI governance, data management, and innovative procurement within two years. He emphasized experiential learning, cross‑border partnerships, and the inclusion of SMEs to accelerate adoption. The discussion underscored that bridging these gaps requires coordinated ecosystem efforts: public bodies must adopt problem‑oriented procurement, while startups and SMEs need guidance on navigating fragmented EU regulations. Successful upskilling will enhance interoperability, reduce reliance on external tech providers, and accelerate the delivery of citizen‑centric digital services across Europe.

Original Description

The Digital Skills and Jobs Platform presents the Digital Skills Talks, a series of online events exploring key topics in the digital world. In just 30-minutes you will learn from digital skills experts and connect with the Digital Skills and Jobs community.

On 2 March January, the episode the Platform featured:

• Stefanos Kotoglou, Programme Officer, Directorate General for Digital Services, European Commission

• Gianluca Misuraca, Scientific Director, AI4Gov-X, Founder & CEO, Inspiring Futures Europe

Together with the Platform team, the experts explored how Europe can reinforce digital capacities across the public sector to support modern, trustworthy and future-ready public services.