TechConnect, a new initiative funded by the European Union, has officially launched today, marking a significant advancement in understanding how advanced digital technologies influence human skills. With a budget of €3 million from the Horizon Europe framework, this initiative brings together a consortium of nine partners, including SMEs, universities, and hospitals. As technology rapidly evolves, the concern over whether these advancements will replace or enhance human labour is increasingly relevant. TechConnect aims to explore this dynamic by integrating human skills with emerging technologies, ensuring positive outcomes for both workers and industries.
“We are excited to announce the launch of the TechConnect project! This initiative represents a monumental leap in harmonising human talent with digital innovation. The €3 million funding from Horizon Europe underscores the remarkable collaboration among leading academics, healthcare institutions, and technology experts. We look forward to seeing how TechConnect will enhance employment quality and foster cross-European ecosystems for digital growth and creativity.” Professor Laurent Muzellec, Dean of Trinity Business School
In recent years, studies have underscored the necessity for in-depth research into the interplay between technology and human skills. TechConnect will undertake this vital research, concentrating on how human capabilities complement technology in practical settings rather than assessing them separately. Through a mixed-method approach, including cross-sector industry surveys, detailed case studies in healthcare, and validation across various sectors, TechConnect will produce actionable knowledge on Human-Tech Skill Complementarity.
Objectives of TechConnect
The primary goal of the project is to establish a comprehensive framework that addresses the gap between the intended and actual implementation of technology concerning human skills. To realise this vision, TechConnect has outlined five critical objectives:
- Develop a new conceptual framework for Human-Tech Skill Complementarity, examining the complex interactions between human skills and technology through a thorough analysis of over 100 articles across three disciplines, conducting three annual cross-sector surveys with 1,200 respondents from over four countries and more than ten industries, involving over 16 expert stakeholders, and producing three industry landscape reports.
- Create a Human-Tech Skill Complementarity Index to assess how human and technological skills interact to enhance productivity and job quality through 12 observational case studies across four locations, covering three categories of occupations and two types of technology, while also mapping four organisational frameworks. This process will be enhanced by conducting over 180 interviews and accumulating more than 960 hours of direct observation.
- Strengthen Human-Tech Skill Complementarity by establishing a predictive model identifying key factors that drive this relationship through four interventional case studies, creating over 40 interviews with at least 12 hours of observation, and developing four workshops with over 60 participants while engaging more than 40 external contributors.
- Influence the design, development, and integration of technologies across various industries to foster greater productivity, improved working conditions, and more resilient sectors by defining 25 business cases and producing five flagship guidelines that encompass six sectors and three ESCO professional occupation groups.
- Scale the outcomes of TechConnect for the ongoing development of Human-Tech Skill Complementarities, laying the groundwork for future upskilling, training, and research efforts through the engagement of 40 policymakers, contributions from 80 stakeholders and 60 technology developers, and the creation of four workshops.
TechConnect will unfold in four phases, beginning with comprehensive desk research and multidisciplinary literature analysis. Following this, observational case studies will be conducted within healthcare settings, focusing on three primary occupational levels. Insights from these studies will inform interventions, with findings applicable across other sectors.
Groundbreaking Research for Sustainable Growth
TechConnect is set to offer revolutionary insights into the evolving relationship between technology and human labour. This research will enhance understanding of Human-Tech Skill Complementarity and provide frameworks to ensure future technologies are adopted effectively. By emphasising quality employment and competitiveness, TechConnect seeks to drive improvements across all sectors and professions, benefiting technology adopters, developers, managers, educators, researchers, and policymakers.
“The debate regarding whether emerging technologies will replace or augment human labour has become increasingly critical alongside the swift advancement of digital tools. The TechConnect project aims to explore the synergy between human skills and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation. We at Trinity are enthusiastic about leading this initiative, representing a significant stride towards enhancing employment quality and advancing social equity. We anticipate generating transformative insights that will benefit our communities and shape inclusive growth policies across sectors.” Professor Na Fu, who serves as the Coordinator of TechConnect and is a Professor of Human Resource Management at Trinity College Dublin.
Partners and Collaboration
The success of TechConnect hinges on collaboration with key partners:
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD): Ireland’s highest-ranked university, with a rich history of over 400 years.
- Mälardalen University (MDU): Featuring two campuses and over 18,000 students.
- Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM): The largest technical university in Spain and a prominent institution in higher education.
- Universiteit Utrecht (UU): One of the Netherlands’ oldest universities, with over 39,000 students enrolled in 2023.
- BluSpecs: A consultancy at the forefront of digital technology innovation, supporting various startups and SMEs, with notable clients including the European Commission and leading corporates.
- Tallaght University Hospital (TUH): One of Ireland’s largest public hospitals, employing nearly 3,000 staff and treating over 410,000 patients annually.
- Västerås Hospital (RV): Responsible for planning and delivering specialised medical care in Västmanland, a region with around 280,000 inhabitants.
- Hospital Ramon y Cajal (FIBIRYCIS): Among Spain’s top 10 public hospitals, employing nearly 6,000 professionals.
- University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU): Managing medical devices and engaging in significant research projects within its Medical Technology & Clinical Physics department.
Impact and Future Outlook
TechConnect aims to make a significant impact by establishing Human-Tech Skill Complementarity as a cornerstone for future training, upskilling, and research initiatives. The project will provide a comprehensive toolkit for extensive assessments across various industries, ultimately improving job quality and enhancing Europe’s competitive edge. By equipping professionals with essential skills, TechConnect aims to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of digital and technological innovation.
TechConnect continues to forge new pathways in human-tech collaboration.