In May 2025, the European Employers’ Institute (EEI) launched an EU-funded initiative called AI@Work, coordinated by Ceemet and bringing together two German research partners, the German Economic Institute (IW) and the German Employment Institute (IFAA). The project aims to support European and national sectoral employers’ organisations in understanding how artificial intelligence is transforming people management and business operations. It provides insights into employers’ perspectives and showcases practical examples of the responsible use of AI at the company level.
Since the launch of the project, several outputs have already been published. Four business case studies are available on the EEI website, including interviews with Sanofi, Elea IC and the Adecco Group. These case studies mark the start of a broader series of interviews designed to showcase how companies use AI tools to enhance productivity or support workforce management.
Regulatory framework of AI in the workplace
A key milestone in the project was the publication of a concise briefing on the existing legal framework governing AI at work. This briefing helps companies identify their role under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and understand how to classify workplace AI tools by risk level. It sets out practical steps for responsible AI use, including assessing whether the organisation is a deployer or provider of AI systems, ensuring human oversight for high-risk applications, and maintaining compliance with data protection requirements such as the GDPR. It also emphasises the importance of fostering AI literacy among employees and engaging in open dialogue with employee representatives.
Key insights and priorities from the first policy workshop
In November 2025, the AI@Work consortium organised its first policy workshop, bringing together project partners and external experts to review interim results and define priorities for further analysis. Participants highlighted the significant influence of the EU AI Act on workplace practices, noting that transparency and risk management will be increasingly important as companies adopt AI tools. The discussion also underscored how AI is reshaping recruitment and workforce management, with routine tasks becoming automated and more inclusive job descriptions emerging.
Attendees agreed that while productivity gains from AI are clear, there is a growing demand for both AI-related technical skills and complementary human capabilities, varying across countries and sectors. This points to a need for strengthened AI literacy to support adoption and address employee concerns. The workshop also set out next steps, including a European company survey on AI skill development, investment needs and differences across company sizes and sectors, and further research to map AI skill demand across regional and sectoral clusters.
In addition to published case studies and briefs, the project is preparing two surveys on the impact of AI on skills and on companies’ competitiveness, along with more business cases. Through 2026 and until mid-2027, EEI members will use the AI@Work project to enrich the debate on employment-related aspects of artificial intelligence and the management of algorithms in companies, engaging with employers, trade unions, policymakers and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit the AI@Work project page on the EEI website.