The network of European Digital Innovation Hubs, consisting of 228 EDIHs of which 3 in Flanders, intents to build up the digital capacities of companies and public sector organisations across all EU Member States as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway.
Given the technology potential of AI, there is an urgency to accelerate the adoption of AI by SMEs and other organisations. The Flanders AI EDIH intents to accelerate the adoption of AI by providing a neutral and integrated range of services relevant and accessible for SMEs, provided by a strong consortium of 13 partners. These services are divided in 4 service categories: Test before invest, Skills and training, Support to find investment and Innovation ecosystem and networking.
The Flanders AI EDIH strengthens the Flemish Industry Partnership (Industriepartnerschap), the Flanders AI Academy (VAIA) and the Knowledge Center Data & Society (Kenniscentrum Data & Maatschappij).
(1.) Test before invest: initial advice, individual coaching, AI technical feasibility study, legal workshops and our special co-operation with commercial AI agencies, called “Start AI”
(2.) Skills and training: inspiration sessions, thematic webinars & events, masterclasses and summer schools
(3.) Access to finance: support to access to financial instruments both equity-free, debt and private funding; these services are provided in close collaboration with the Flemmish EDIH for the manufacturing industry, DIGITALIS
(4.) Innovation ecosystem and networking: talent & skills matchmaking, matchmaking on AI supply & demand, matchmaking on joint research and our large annual AI event called “Flanders AI Forum” (next edition: spring 2024).