AI4CIR5 -A Human-Centric Curriculum for the AI-Driven Circular Transition to Industry 5.0
Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2, Partnerships for Cooperation in Higher Education (KA220-HED).
Implementation period: 2026–2028
Project summary
The AI4CIR5 project tackles a critical challenge at European level: the skills gap at the intersection of the Digital (AI), Green (Circular Economy) and Social (Industry 5.0) transitions.
Whilst technology is evolving rapidly, the human capital needed to steer it towards sustainable goals is lagging behind.
Through this project, a modular and transdisciplinary curriculum is being developed for higher education. It equips students from engineering and business faculties with the dual skills required to design circular, people-centred systems supported by artificial intelligence.
By providing open-access, ‘plug-and-play’ digital resources, AI4CIR5 is equipping the future workforce to transform the efficiency of Industry 4.0 into the resilience and inclusivity of Industry 5.0.
Target groups
| Primary TG | University students in engineering, computer science, and business, who will be upskilled through pilot courses and applied, challenge-based projects |
| Secondary TG | Higher education (HE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) academic staff/educators, who need ready-to-use, accessible learning resources to deliver an integrated “AI – Circularity – Industry 5.0” curriculum |
| Tertiary TG | HE&VET institutions as adopters of the modular curriculum and micro-credentials. |
| Final beneficiaries | EU industry, especially SMEs, gaining a skilled workforce |
| Societal group | Learners with disabilities, ensured full inclusion via UDL and WCAG integration across all project outputs |
Project results
The main result is an industry-aligned HE curriculum enabling engineering and business students to lead the AI-driven transition to a Circular Economy.
Key Deliverables:
- A validated standard for Human-Centric AI in circularity
- Accessible, open-access digital course materials (WCAG 2.1)
- A gamified, central hub for adaptive, open-access learning
- A roadmap for formal recognition of “Triple Transition” skills
- Data-driven pilot reports and a guide for EU-wide scaling
Project partners
- ECAM-EPMI, www.ecam-epmi.fr (FR): Coordinator
- Ludor Engineering, www.ludoreng.com (RO)
- CAMIS/UPB, www.camis.pub.ro (RO)
- Mind the Game, www.mindthegame.ltd (CY)
- Masaryk University, www.muni.cz (CZ)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.