A few years ago, in the professional world, it was common to pursue a specific, well-defined occupation, such as a draftsman, millwright, or baker. You were what you were and knew what you knew. Today, training is more accessible and flexible thanks to information and communication technologies.

Not only is it possible to redirect career paths with specific training throughout adulthood, but specialization can also be “à la carte” and highly personalized.

“Lifelong learning” is a concept that encompasses formal, non-formal, and informal learning from childhood to old age, promoting people’s personal, professional, and social development. Experts understand it as a holistic process that integrates learning into all aspects of life, going beyond the limited view of institutional education.

Lifelong learning is considered a fundamental human right : learning opportunities should be offered in a continuous, flexible and contextualized manner throughout the life cycle.

Available options and evolution of the educational offer

Over the past few decades, continuing education offerings have undergone significant diversification. Traditional in-person offerings have been complemented by online programs, massive open courses (MOOCs), hybrid programs (which combine in-person and online classes), micro-learning, and professional certifications tailored to market needs.

Platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity have driven the widespread adoption of digital learning, while universities and technical training centers have begun to integrate personalized training paths based on measurable learning outcomes. To the point that 76% of adults worldwide believe that education should be lifelong, and more than 60% have already participated in some form of post-compulsory learning.

Adult education participation rates tend to grow most rapidly in technology and professional sectors due to the transformation of employment, where digital, problem-solving, and independent learning skills are gaining importance.

The rise of microcredentials: flexibility and customization

Microcredentials are short, competency-focused certifications that allow individuals to demonstrate knowledge acquired in diverse contexts. Unlike traditional degrees, these credentials offer greater flexibility, market adaptability, and international recognition through technologies such as blockchain verification .

Microcredentials are offered by universities such as Harvard, MIT, and UNED, and by platforms such as Coursera or edX. They don’t always require prior qualifications, although some do require specific knowledge.

They represent a paradigm shift , enabling a modular approach to education and promoting personalized, job-oriented learning. This type of training also contributes to the development of employability and adaptability , key attributes for the 21st century.

The European Commission has published a Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials , promoting their integration into formal systems and fostering their interoperability across countries.

These new formats are especially relevant in sectors where innovation is ongoing, such as information and communications technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data management. They also allow people with limited time or resources to access relevant and up-to-date training opportunities.

Generative artificial intelligence: an engine of transformation

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI), exemplified by tools such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), and Claude (Anthropic), represents a disruptive innovation with great potential for continuing education. These technologies are capable of generating text, images, code, data analysis, and personalized content from human commands, opening up new ways of teaching and learning.

Some research has shown how these tools can act as virtual tutors, writing assistants, or teaching material generators, enabling a more interactive and adaptive educational experience . Their use is already being explored in contexts such as automated feedback, the generation of realistic simulations, and real-time formative assessment.

These technologies facilitate personalized learning by adapting to each student’s pace, style, and level, helping to improve knowledge retention and motivation. However, ethical and pedagogical challenges also arise, such as the risk of dependency, the need to develop critical thinking, and the importance of ensuring equitable access to these tools.

Intersections and synergies

The integration of generative artificial intelligence and microcredentials is shaping a new educational ecosystem characterized by modular organization, personalization, and traceability of learning. For example, through the use of AI, it is possible to automate the creation of personalized learning paths, generating content, assessments, and training pathways based on the user’s existing and desired skills, facilitating more precise and effective training.

Similarly, platforms offering microcredentials are beginning to incorporate AI technologies to analyze learning trajectories, identify skills gaps, and recommend content. This suggests an evolution toward large-scale adaptive learning systems, where each individual can dynamically and continuously build their competency profile.

Challenges and perspectives

While the potential of these innovations is significant, it is essential to consider the associated risks. Some of these risks include the commodification of education , the opaque use of algorithms, and digital exclusion. The technological gap could widen if equitable access to these tools is not guaranteed and critical digital literacy is not strengthened.

In this context, educational institutions and legislators must work within ethical and pedagogical frameworks that ensure quality, transparency, and fairness in the use of these technologies. It is also necessary to foster a culture of lifelong learning that values ​​both technical competencies and socio-emotional, civic, and reflective skills.

This vision is in line with UNESCO ‘s proposal , which raises the need for a new social contract for education, focused on justice, solidarity, and long-term sustainability.

Author Bio: Beatriz Peña Acuña is Professor of Language and Literature Teaching at the University of Huelva