Squad 2026 paper: How organisations can turn Cloud, Data and AI into lasting value

Cloud, data and AI are rapidly reshaping how organisations operate — influencing everything from the decisions they make to the way services are designed, delivered and improved. Yet successful digital transformation is about more than adopting the latest technologies. The real challenge lies in having the right skills, knowing where to focus efforts and turning innovation into meaningful, lasting value.

How can organisations build the capabilities they need to navigate this transformation and ensure that technology works for people, organisations and society?

The 2026 Squad of the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform brought together expertise and practical experience from across Europe to explore what it takes to build a workforce ready for the Cloud, Data and AI transformation. The collaboration, involving DIGITALEUROPE, 28Digital, Experis, the University of Trento and the University of Burgos, has culminated in a joint Vision Paper outlining key challenges, insights and recommendations for developing the skills and capabilities needed for a sustainable digital future.

From digital tools to organisational value

Instead of presenting digital transformation as a rush to adopt the newest technologies, the paper focuses on a more practical question: What do organisations should have in place before the Cloud, Data and AI can truly work for them?

The document argues that technology only creates value when organisations understand their own needs, assess their readiness and create the right practical conditions for change.

A roadmap for leaders and decision-makers

The paper brings together various insights on technology choices, workforce capabilities, data and AI literacy, governance, leadership, risk and implementation. It also offers a practical way forward for decision-makers: from identifying a relevant opportunity, to testing it, scaling it and reviewing what works overtime.

One of the key messages is that successful transformation depends on more than access to technology. Organisations also need the confidence and capability to manage change responsibly, support their people, make informed decisions and learn from experience.  

By this, the paper represents both a reflection on organisational readiness and a practical guide for leaders who want to turn digital ambition into concrete action.

The paper is available for download here.

Authors and Contributors

Bruno Baruque-Zanón holds an Associate Professor position in the Department of Digitalisation at Universidad de Burgos, Spain, since 2018. He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) in 2009. He is an active member of Grupo de Inteligencia Computacional Aplicada (GICAP) research group. His research interests include data analysis, machine learning, hybrid intelligent systems, artificial intelligence and their application to a wide variety of real-life problems. These are complemented by a keen interest in education internationalisation, especially in relation to digital skills, having served as coordinator of several EU projects and joint master programmes related to the topic and acting as a member of the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education’s panel of experts.  

Cosmo Poul Colonna is Software Engineer Expert and Solution Architect with twenty years of experience at Alcatel-Lucent (now Nokia) in the telecommunications field, with expertise in TMPLS, PCE, and SDH equipment. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a consultant for SM Optics (SIAE group) on OTN issues for Experis. He has also worked as a consultant in the Legal field for WKI and on internal HR Management products for Experis as a Project Leader and Software Architect. In recent years, he has working on the use of LLM and AI Agents in upcoming software products.

Bruno Crispo is a Full Professor at the University of Trento, Italy, and has previously held academic positions at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and KU Leuven. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge. Throughout his international academic career, he has combined teaching and research with the design, management, and delivery of higher-education and professional-training initiatives. He has contributed to developing curricula, training students and professionals, and coordinating educational activities in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and trustworthy digital systems. He has also participated in numerous European projects, supporting education, skills development, and knowledge transfer alongside research and innovation.

Vilma Djala is Education Lead (AI, Cloud, HPC) at 28DIGITAL, where she leads education programs on AI, Cloud, and HPC skills across the EU tech ecosystem. She is a Fellow of Dream VC's Investor Accelerator, with a special focus on the African continent and holds an MBA degree from KU Leuven. Her background spans strategic partnerships, project management, and public speaking in 5 languages, and she writes The Contrary Mary, a newsletter approaching 1,000 subscribers.

Giulia Grasso holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Trento, where she spent three years as a university researcher after her studies. Her academic work explored topics such as cybersecurity, cybercrime, and identity theft, before joining the UNI4Justice team to contribute to a national project examining the structure and efficiency of the Italian court system. She currently works as a Project Officer for Research and Innovation at DIGITALEUROPE, where she contributes to the implementation of EU-funded projects in the fields of digital skills, advanced technologies and digital transformation.

Romane Léauté is Education Lead at 28DIGITAL, bringing eight years of experience in EU projects and partnerships management. She manages large EU-funded initiatives focused on technology and science education in higher education, bridging the gap between academic institutions and the digital innovation ecosystem. Her work centers on building sustainable pathways for emerging tech talent and fostering collaboration across Europe's education and tech sectors.

Santiago Porras Alfonso is a Lecturer at the University of Burgos, Spain, where he holds a PhD in Engineering. His research interests focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, data analytics, and intelligent decision-support systems, with applications in digital transformation, education, energy, tourism, and business. He has participated in 16 research and innovation projects and has published 15 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals. He has also contributed to numerous national and international scientific conferences. His current research focuses on the application of AI and machine learning techniques to digitalization processes and data-driven decision-making.

Dorina Stamou is Senior Research and Innovation Manager for  Projects at DIGITALEUROPE. She brings over 20 years of expertise in management consultancy, specialising in EU-funded projects with a strong focus on research, innovation, and digital transformation. In her capacity as a Senior Research and Innovation Manager, she is successfully overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and compliance with European Commission requirements. Her experience spans project management, risk assessment, and the coordination of cross-disciplinary teams, fostering robust networks across public and private sectors.