European Comission Image

The European Commission has recently presented the Apply AI Strategy, a roadmap to boost the practical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all economic sectors and to strengthen European technological sovereignty. This new initiative aims to make the potential of AI a reality through a framework of collaboration between industry, research, public administrations and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) network, of which DIH4CAT is a member.

The Strategy focuses on facilitating the use of AI in strategic sectors such as health, automotive, energy, agriculture, environment, transport and the public sector. In addition, it foresees a new governance system that includes the creation of the Apply AI Alliance and the AI Observatory, two spaces to coordinate key actors and share best practices in the field of AI. The Apply AI Alliance acts as a collaborative platform that brings together companies, research centres, public administrations and other agents of the digital ecosystem to exchange experiences, identify needs and promote the practical application of AI at a European scale. The AI Observatory, on the other hand, has the mission of monitoring the evolution of the implementation of AI, collecting data, trends and best practices, and offering a global vision that guides public policies and future investments in this field.

One of the most relevant elements is the strengthening of the role of the EDIHs, which will evolve towards Experience Centres for AI, reference centres to connect companies with infrastructures of the European AI ecosystem such as the AI Factories, the Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) and other regulatory testing spaces (AI sandboxes).

It also highlights specific support for European SMEs, offering them access to training, advisory services, computational resources and funding opportunities to facilitate their digital transformation and the responsible adoption of AI.

New European resource: AI Act Single Information Platform

In parallel with the Apply AI Strategy, the European Commission has launched the AI Single Information Platform, an initiative aimed at facilitating the practical implementation of the European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act).

This platform will function as a central point where companies will be able to find all relevant information about the regulation, understand how it applies and access guides adapted for its implementation.

In addition to informative materials, frequently asked questions and resources provided by the Member States, the platform offers specific digital tools:

• Compliance Checker: a tool that helps determine whether companies’ AI solutions are subject to legal obligations and the steps to follow to comply with them.
• AI Act Explorer: an online application that allows users to navigate intuitively through the different chapters, annexes and recitals of the AI Act.
• Online form: allows users to send questions to the AI Act Service Desk, a team of experts working in close collaboration with the European Commision’s AI Office.

AI Act Single Information Platform | AI Act Service Desk
More informació: AI Act 

The role of DIH4CAT in this new European framework

From DIH4CAT, we are already working in line with the objectives of Apply AI and acting as a bridge between the Catalan business ecosystem and the European strategy on AI. Our commitment is to facilitate that Catalan companies can take full advantage of the opportunities offered by AI, connecting them with the most relevant European resources, knowledge and initiatives.

Some of the actions that we are already promoting include:

• Active monitoring of the European strategy on AI, keeping Catalan companies up to date on news, programmes and opportunities to position them at the forefront of digital  transformation.
• Expert support to Catalan companies on their path towards the incorporation of AI, relying on the expertise of our technological, research and innovation partners.
• Direct participation in flagship European projects, such as through the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), one of our main partners and promoter of one of the AI Factories, a key project within the framework of the European AI strategy and essential for the adoption of advanced models by SMEs and start-ups.
• Guidance and referral of companies to the most appropiate actors in the AI ecosystem, to ensure they recieve the necessary support at each stage of their adoption process.
• Dissemination and advisory services on the European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act), through informative sessions and personalised support services.
• Connexion with top-level European resources, such as the AI-on-Demand Platform, providing Catalan companies with reliable and proven AI tools, services and modules.

This new strategy consolidates the role of DIH4CAT as a connection point between European policies and the business and technological fabric of Catalonia, driving digital innovation within a common European framework.

Read the full strategy at digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/apply-ai