Recent developments in the European Union (EU) around the legal frameworks governing artificial intelligence, notably the AI Act, underscore the pivotal role of AI as a technical and economic force driving solutions to a variety of challenging problems with profound societal implications. These challenges span diverse fields such as personalized medicine, environmental sustainability, and space safety, among others.
Recognizing the critical importance of human-centric artificial intelligence, the EU has initiated substantial investments aimed at fostering the development of this technology through various projects under the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) call. As a result, several new European Networks of AI Excellence Centres (NoEs) have been established. These networks are not just platforms for advancing trustworthy AI but are also pivotal in creating an international AI ecosystem. They are designed to ensure that the EU maintains a leadership position in global AI development.
These European Networks of AI Excellence Centres serve dual functions. On one hand, they aim to foster the development of international cooperation in AI. On the other hand, they ensure that the EU’s approach to AI development remains at the forefront globally by promoting standards and practices that align with EU values and regulations. This strategic positioning is crucial as AI technologies increasingly underpin various sectors of critical importance.
Building upon these foundations, the EU is also focusing on nurturing AI talent through educational initiatives such as the AI4VET4AI project. The general objective of AI4VET4AI is to establish a transnational European platform for vocational education and training (VET) excellence. This platform aims to contribute to the digital transformation of the EU labour market by introducing innovative teaching content and methods into vocational education and training (VET) curricula across 11 European countries. The primary goal is to support and foster the growth of a skilled workforce in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
To address the intricate and significant challenges associated with AI, the European Commission (EC) has funded various projects focusing on the scientific themes of AI, Data, and Robotics (ADR). These projects are designed to pioneer advanced frameworks and methodologies that further the technological developments in AI and its applications across key sectors of the EU’s infrastructure. The projects span various application areas, each aimed at developing excellence and competencies throughout the EU. Additionally, these initiatives facilitate the convergence of industrial and academic insights, fostering a rich environment of knowledge exchange through public-private partnerships.
The diagram above illustrates the distribution and focus areas of the ADR-centered projects funded across the EU. This visual representation helps stakeholders understand the breadth and depth of activities being undertaken within the scope of these initiatives.
For those interested in a deeper understanding of these networks and their associated projects, further details are available on the Vision for AI community website. This resource offers extensive information on ongoing efforts and future directions in the EU’s AI strategy, providing a comprehensive overview of how these networks contribute to the EU’s objectives in AI excellence and leadership.
The ongoing commitment to these networks highlights the EU’s proactive approach to managing the ethical, legal, and technical challenges posed by AI, ensuring that the technology is developed in a manner that is beneficial and sustainable for all.
