OpenAI’s Shaig Abduragimov reflects on EUROUT return and rising demand for AI literacy

AIEvents

20 Nov

Abduragimov shared reflections on speaking at EUROUT, highlighting shifting job expectations and the growing role of AI in education and workforce readiness.

Shaig Abduragimov, Solutions Lead for Government and Education across EMEA and APAC at OpenAI, took toLinkedIn to share his thoughts returning to London Business School (LBS) to speak at EUROUT.

EUROUT is Europe’s leading conference for LGBTQ+ business students and professionals, hosted annually by the Out in Business Club at LBS. OpenAI works with governments, universities and public agencies on AI adoption across education systems and workforce development.

In his post, Abduragimov described the visit as a personal return to an event he helped organise as a student. He wrote, “Returning to London Business School this weekend to speak at EUROUT — an event I helped organise as a student, and one that shaped the early part of my professional journey — felt like a meaningful full-circle moment.”

He explained that his earlier involvement centred on logistical work, whereas this year he spoke directly to students. Abduragimov said the audience was navigating “a job market that looks nothing like the one my classmates and I prepared for.”

AI literacy and workforce readiness shaped this year’s discussions

Abduragimov noted that both expectations and workplace realities have shifted significantly. In the post, he wrote that “the pace of change and the expectations have evolved, and so has the conversation.”

He emphasised that his role at OpenAI focuses on how AI can support education systems and workforce readiness. Abduragimov stated, “I spend much of my time at OpenAI working with governments, universities, and public agencies on how AI can strengthen education and workforce readiness.”

At the conference, he joined Barry T Whyte for a discussion on AI literacy, emerging skills and the impact of AI on early careers. He wrote that their conversation addressed “the rising importance of AI literacy, the new and emerging skillsets shaping early careers, and how AI can be an accelerant for communities that have historically faced barriers — helping them access opportunity and amplify their voices.”

Abduragimov also reflected on reconnecting with alumni and seeing how the EUROUT community has developed since his time at LBS. He thanked organisers and speakers for shaping the event. Abduragimov wrote, “Thank you to Max Taylor for the invitation and for stewarding such an important space — and to Seyi Akiwowo and Jacob Botha for their thoughtful discussions on stage.”

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