AI Skills & Tech 2026 Conference Leading the Dialogue on Israel's Economic and Educational Future

More than 500 participants from the high-tech sector, industry, academia, education, the public sector, and the defense establishment gathered for the AI Skills & Tech 2026 Conference. The event, held on June 22, was led by Afeka College, TheMarker, and the Trump Foundation.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the conference has established itself as Israel's premier arena for discussing the future of work, human capital development, and the far-reaching implications of the artificial intelligence revolution.

The central focus of the conference targeted one of the most pressing challenges facing the Israeli economy today: preparing the next generation for a reality characterized by rapid technological shifts and evolving professions. In this landscape, the ability to continuously learn and adapt is becoming just as critical as technical proficiency itself.

Distinguished speakers and attendees included Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks, President of Afeka College; Eli Hurvitz, Executive Director of the Trump Foundation; Amit Krig, Senior Vice President at NVIDIA and Head of the Israel Development Center; Merav Bahat, CEO of Dazz (recently acquired by Wiz); Natalie Kramer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point; Alan Feld, Founder and Managing Partner Emeritus of Vintage Investment Partners; Dr. Avital Gerstner, Senior Vice President and Head of the Manufacturing and Human Resources Division at Rafael; Dr. Sharon Yalov Handzel, Head of the M.Sc. Program in Intelligent Systems (AI) at Afeka; Dr. Gal Zohar, Head of the Research and Policy Unit at the Israeli Employment Service; Efrat Bachar Netanel, CEO of the Mosaic Institute for AI Policy; Avi Salmon, Intel Israel Lead; and Col. Rotem Bashi, Commander of the Matzpen Unit, alongside other senior figures from across industries.

Opening the conference, Afeka President Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks emphasized that alongside rapid technological breakthroughs, Israel’s primary challenge lies in developing the human capital capable of leading the economy in the coming decades:

"The key to navigating volatility in the labor market lies in a shift toward multi-disciplinary frameworks and skill development. Today’s engineers must engage in continuous learning throughout their entire careers, develop critical thinking, collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams, and effectively communicate complex ideas and solutions. The AI era presents higher education with a vital opportunity to implement the necessary transformations, ensuring students are optimally prepared for the future workforce."

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2026 Skills Index, a joint initiative by Afeka, TheMarker, and the Trump Foundation surveying executives across high tech and traditional industries. The findings revealed that proactivity is viewed as the most critical personal skill within the high tech sector (61% in high tech compared to 46% in other industries), whereas motivation was ranked highest in traditional sectors (69% compared to 50% in high tech). Additionally, the survey identified a significant rise in the perceived importance of working with AI tools, particularly among tech executives.

Throughout the day, panel discussions addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market, the education system, higher education, and corporate structures. Panelists examined the strategic challenges of integrating AI technologies into organizations, the shifting paradigms of mentorship and learning, and the emerging opportunities available to employees, corporations, and educational institutions.

Dr. Sharon Yalov Handzel, Head of the M.Sc. Program in Intelligent Systems (AI) at Afeka, addressed the profound changes AI brings to the worlds of knowledge and academic studies:

"The capacity for independent learning, identifying trends, and swiftly adapting to change will serve as the most critical skills in the coming years. Today’s students are expected to navigate multiple professional transitions throughout their careers. Therefore, our responsibility is to prepare them not merely for their first job, but to equip them with the capacity to evolve and reinvent themselves throughout their entire professional lives."

The recurring message across all panels emphasized that in the era of artificial intelligence, educational leadership must focus not only on what is taught, but on how it is taught. Alongside core engineering and scientific knowledge, the modern market demands graduates who possess a commitment to lifelong learning, cognitive flexibility, critical thinking, teamwork capabilities, and the resilience to operate within an unprecedentedly dynamic professional environment.

Amit Krig, Senior Vice President at NVIDIA Israel, noted: "I cannot understand companies that do not hire juniors. We might study AI, but the younger generation was born into it. They utilize this technology far better than older professionals and bring a unique value that we cannot replicate." He also shared his perspective on modern academic paths: "My nephew recently began his academic studies in computer engineering. I guided him toward a combined track of electrical engineering and computer science; that is the future. In the face of AI, foundational mathematical skills and core capabilities are what matter most, because at the end of the day, people are the ones who must find the solutions."

Merav Bahat, CEO of Dazz, shared insights from her entrepreneurial journey: "Some look at my career path as a Cinderella story, but to me, it is a testament to hard work, constant learning, and remaining at the absolute forefront of technology. A company is first and foremost an ecosystem of partners: investors dedicating capital and time, and a team building a product together. It is essential to utilize AI tools in a manner tailored to your specific profession, and to choose a career path driven by genuine passion."

At Afeka, this educational philosophy is actively integrated into the academic curricula, blending academic excellence, personal and professional skill development, multi-disciplinary study, and close industry collaboration. Through these initiatives, Afeka continues to lead the national dialogue on the essential skills required for the engineers of tomorrow, shaping the next generation of technological leadership in Israel.