The AI4EU project officially starts this month, with a kick-off meeting among the partners in Barcelona today (10 January): AI4EU brings together 79 top research institutes, SMEs and large enterprises in 21 countries to build a focal point for artificial intelligence (AI) resources, including data repositories, computing power, tools and algorithms.

It will offer services and provide support to potential users of the technology, help them test and integrate AI solutions in their processes, products and services. AI4EU, an open and collaborative platform, will also provide upskilling and reskilling courses.

The AI4EU project team will work closely with the Digital Innovation Hubs for robotics and the future network of AI excellence centres to further facilitate access to AI technology.

Digital Single Market VicePresident Andrus Ansip and Digital Economy and Society Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said: “Europe can only reap the full benefits of AI innovations if this technology is easily usable by all. The AI4EU project will help bring AI to small businesses, non-tech companies and public administrations across Europe.”

The project, led by the French company Thales, receives a total funding of €20 million over the next 3 years. The platform will be set up in the course of 2019. On 25 April 2018, the Commission presented its strategy on artificial intelligence, announcing the development of the AI-on-demand platform. Overall the Commission is increasing its investment in research and innovation in AI to €1.5 billion for the period 2018-2020 under the Horizon 2020 programme.

Total public and private investments in the EU should reach at least €20 billion by the end of 2020. Building on its strategy, the Commission presented in December a co-ordinated plan to foster cooperation with EU member states, Norway, and Switzerland in four key areas: increasing investment, making more data available, fostering talent and ensuring trust.

More information is available online.

This article is sited from eureporter