Lifelong Learning and AI Skills – Takeaways from SAS Innovate on Tour in Frankfurt [Germany]

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Last month, SAS Innovate on Tour stopped in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing together hundreds of experts, partners, and customers to explore the latest in AI, analytics, and digital transformation.

As part of the Education & Learning team at SAS, I want to highlight some key moments that matter for everyone interested in upskilling, reskilling, and preparing for the future of work.

How many have already learned with SAS?

My colleague Anne Katrin Bogner-Hamleh gave a dynamic 4-minute pitch on stage about artificial intelligence (AI).
She engaged the audience by asking:

Who here has already attended a SAS training course?
Many people proudly stood up.
Who has earned a SAS certification?
Still impressive numbers.
Who has more than one? More than three? More than five?
Even then, several stayed standing.

When she asked about more than seven certifications, the room burst into applause.
A strong sign that continuous learning is already part of many companies’ DNA.

Sascha Lobo on why lifelong learning matters in an AI-driven world

Next, well-known German author, speaker, and digital thought leader Sascha Lobo took the stage.
Sascha is famous for his bold analyses on future skills, digitalization, and AI trends (you may know his SPIEGEL column or his books).

Without being connected to SAS, he spontaneously picked up Anne’s theme.
He said it was “really impressive” to see so many people investing in SAS certifications, underlining how crucial lifelong learning and building AI skills are today.

At the end of his keynote, Sascha summarized it powerfully:

💡 In an AI-powered world, the roles for humans are AI Literacy and AI Leadership.

What do AI Literacy and AI Leadership mean?

✅ AI Literacy
Means you understand what AI is, how it works at a basic level, and what it can (or cannot) do.
You know the ethical questions, data challenges, and are confident to use AI tools responsibly.
In short: you can work smartly alongside AI.

✅ AI Leadership
Goes beyond that. It’s about leading teams and projects that use AI, shaping strategies, and driving digital transformation.
AI leaders ensure AI is used effectively and delivers business value — while also managing change and empowering people.

Future skills are in our hands – and we have the right programs

At SAS, we’re proud that these two roles are exactly what our independent learning programs focus on:

Our AI Literacy course builds essential knowledge to work with AI and data confidently.
Our Analytics & AI Leadership Program helps professionals lead analytics initiatives and future-proof their organizations.

Events like SAS Innovate on Tour in Frankfurt show one thing:
Technology is only part of the story.
We — the people — shape the future.
So let’s keep learning, growing, and leading.