MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop on AI 2026: A Successful Exchange Between Academia, Industry and Students

On 1 June, the MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop on Artificial Intelligence took place online, hosted by Riga Technical University (RTU), Latvia, and was met with strong engagement from participants. 

Organised within the framework of the MERIT project, the workshop brought together 30 participants, including MERIT project partners, students, and representatives from industry and academia. Designed as an interactive round-table discussion, the session provided a space to examine how artificial intelligence competencies are being integrated into engineering education and applied in real-world professional contexts. 

This edition focused on how academic programmes can better respond to technological developments and labour market needs in the field of artificial intelligence. It also explored how the MERIT study programme “Management of Smart, Resilient, and Interconnected Systems” supports the development of professionals able to operate at the intersection of engineering, innovation and strategic decision-making. 

Workshop Highlights 

The session opened with a welcome and introduction by Prof. Agris Ņikitenko, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy at Riga Technical University (RTU), who presented the context of the workshop and the role of the MERIT project in strengthening advanced digital skills across Europe. 

A central part of the workshop was the round-table discussion “AI Competencies and Industry Needs”, moderated by Prof. Agris Ņikitenko and PhD Jānis Grēviņš. The discussion brought together MERIT students, several of whom also contributed from an industry perspective through their current professional roles, creating a valuable opportunity to assess the practical relevance of the programme’s AI-related content. 

Featured participants included: 

• Mārīte Grūbe, Scrum Master, Business Analyst and Senior Analyst, Accenture. 
• Nora Austriņa, IT Delivery Professional and Scrum Master, ERGO. 
• Madara Klotiņa, Service Digitalisation Leader, LIAA. 
• Andrejs Juscenko, Product and Business Development, LMT. 
• Juris Šeps, Sales Executive, Proks. 
• Andris Zabelis, Chairman of the Board, Lauma A. 
• Maksims Bogdanovs, IT Project Manager, Dativa. 
• Egidijus Pilypas, Co-founder, Exacaster, representing MERIT’s industry perspective. 

The discussion explored the AI skills currently required by industry, emerging trends in artificial intelligence, the alignment between education and professional practice, expectations for future graduates, and the value created when students apply acquired knowledge and skills in their workplaces. 

The workshop concluded with an open discussion and closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of continuous education and cooperation between academia, students and industry to strengthen Europe’s advanced digital skills ecosystem. 

The recording of the session is now available on the Digital MERIT Project YouTube channel HERE. Further details about the workshop will also be published shortly on the MERIT website. 

Looking Ahead: IoT workshop 

MERIT extends its sincere thanks to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the session, which confirmed the value of bringing together academic experts, industry professionals and students to reflect on the future of AI skills and their application in professional environments. 

Following the AI workshop, the MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop series will continue with the upcoming session on the Internet of Things (IoT), which will take place on a hybrid format in 16 June 2026 (register here). Stay tuned for further updates and future opportunities to engage with MERIT’s activities in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, the Internet of Things and advanced digital skills. 

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About MERIT

The MERIT project aims to strengthen advanced digital skills in key deep-tech domains, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things. Through close collaboration among its consortium partners, MERIT has developed new master’s and training programmes at UPC, RTU-RBS, TalTech, and VILNIUS TECH, shaped by technological market trends and aligned with industry needs, with students already benefiting from them.

MERIT supports the development of innovative educational programmes and engagement activities that prepare students, professionals, and organisations for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

About MERIT Contributors Network

The Digital Europe MERIT project brings together a diverse network of innovators, combining the expertise of academic institutions, industry leaders, and research organisations across Europe. Our network works collaboratively to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the field of advanced digital skills, with a focus on AI, Cybersecurity, and IoT. Together with our contributors, we foster digital transformation and support the development of future skills that will be utilized by the employees of tomorrow.

Join our network by filling out the MERIT Contributors form here!