Flanders AI EDIH

Introduction

Flanders AI EDIH will contribute to the Digital Europe Programme.

AI is considered a key driver of future economic development. The widespread adoption of AI is expected to boost growth in European economic activity by almost 20 percent by 2030. Yet, AI will also be of giant help to social issues in areas such as the aging population, climate change, food safety and healthcare. Sustainability, health and wellness, poverty and equality are problems that are especially complex.  They are large, intractable, interconnected and multicausal - with a lack of any clear single solution. These types of problems have often been referred as 'wicked problems'. AI as a transversal technology has the potential to offer solutions.

We have asked Ann what the project is about and why it is important.

What is the project about?
The Flanders AI EDIH project focuses on a sector-independent offering of AI services, maintaining an approach to AI as a general purpose technology. It is the experience of the consortium partners that many companies are still unfamiliar with the real (im)possibilities of AI.  In addition, there are several similar views on the adoption of AI by enterprises. What does it mean? In practice, the introduction of AI is often taken in 4 phases as the reference method?  The 4 phases are: 1.discovery, 2.experimentation, 3.formalisation and 4.integration. In the discovery phase, organisations become aware of AI, but objectives are still undefined and no specific budget is allocated. Once AI is recognised as an opportunity for business, companies will want to experiment with the technology.  In this phase it is especially important that experimentation can be done in an accessible and guided manner, tailored to the type of problem and objective. Key elements for a successful AI adaptation are also specific attention to the ROI of AI projects, addressing the high-speed evolution of AI technology, the importance of collaboration throughout the value chain and acceptance of the technology in the workplace. In the next phase, formalisation of AI, is implemented within the business strategy. Issues such as financing and organisation play an important role in this phase. Finally, the purchased or developed AI applications will have to be integrated within the organisation.  In this phase, the right skills and finding the right partners play an important role. Prime objective is to support to improve the (successful) adoption and implementation of AI.  The Flanders AI EDIH will be open to the public sector as well as organisations of all sizes. The aim will be to proactively target all companies that want to experiment or grow with AI technology.

Why it is important?

AI development matters for Europe’s strategic autonomy because the development of AI technologies in Europe means less dependence on foreign technologies. It also helps to ensure that AI technologies align with European values. Furthermore, AI could also help us to become more efficient with our energy consumption and transform how we are learning. According to a study published in Nature, AI could help achieve 79 % of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AI will help us build more efficiently, use resources sustainably and reduce and manage the waste we generate more effectively, among many other matters. Now, at the same time, digital technologies such as AI considerably increase energy and resource consumption and create risks of adverse environmental effects. Thus, the consortium: ‘Flanders AI EDIH’ also expects to contribute through organisations in sectors that have a strong relation to environmental sustainability.

AIM

Many Flemish companies are aware of the potential impact of AI, but most SMEs have not yet investigated how AI might affect their business. Given the technology potential, there is an urgency to accelerate the adoption of AI in Flanders.

METHODOLOGY

The Flanders AI EDIH accelerates the adoption of AI among (especially) SMEs and public sector organisations by an integrated service offering:

(1) Test before invest: initial advice, individual coaching, AI technical feasibility study, legal workshop;

(2) Skills and training: AI inspiration session, thematic webinar & event, masterclass, AI Summer school;

(3) Support to find investments: info session, financial literacy course, matchmaking & finfinder guidance;

(4) Innovation ecosystem and networking: talent & skills matchmaking, matchmaking on AI supply & demand, matchmaking on joint research, Flanders AI Forum.

IMPACT

The Flanders AI EDIH consists of complementary partners who guarantee a cross-sectoral and accessible Flemish operation, with a local physical presence in every Flemish province. The Flanders AI EDIH strengthens existing Flemish initiatives to prevent a fragmentation of available AI innovation services, and actively aligns its service offer through close collaboration with the Flemish Industry Partnership, the Flanders AI Research Programme, the Flanders AI Academy (VAIA), the Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC) and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Flanders. The Flanders AI EDIH currently offers a number of smart spaces as testing and experimentation facilities, maintain direct links with existing innovation actors and initiatives (such as the Flemish sectorial focused DIHs) and is closely aligned with the Flemish AI policy plan. At European level, the Flanders AI EDIH has ongoing structural collaborations through the AI DIH Network, the Smart Connectivity DIH Network (SCoDIHNet), the EPoSS Smart Systems EDIH Task Force, the Vanguard AI Pilot. VUB will principally be involved in the following activities: teaching summer schools, onsite events and master classes on AI, giving advice and coaching sessions and as an Ethical Board member. VUB’s AI Experience Centre experience is the ‘one-stop-shop’ for companies and non-profit organisations in Flanders and Brussels. It has a multidisciplinary know-how record of more than 14 research groups having demonstrable AI, Data & Robotics research experience. VUB is also hosting the CLAIRE Brussels Office, providing actionable and timely information on AI developments to policy-makers, the industry, NGOs, researchers, students, and the general public.