EAIF - European AI Forum

🚀 European AI Forum delegation in Brussels & publication of study on European AI standards 🚀 Last week, a delegation from the European AI Forum, including our President Daniel Abbou and Vice Presidents Piotr Mieczkowski and Marloes Pomp, travelled to Brussels to discuss topical issues such as the implementation of the AI Act, European digital sovereignty and AI infrastructure with key policymakers from the European Parliament and the European Commission. One thing is clear: while the AI Act is in place, its implementation remains a challenge. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ AI Act Implementation: Compliance must be accessible, especially for SMEs, to ensure that regulation encourages innovation. 2️⃣ Harmonised standards: Expected AI standards are far from ready, creating further regulatory uncertainty for European AI companies. 3️⃣ Fear of AI compliance: Better communication is needed to reduce fears within the AI ecosystem about AI regulation. 📣 These discussions are in line with a recently published study: European AI Standards: Technical Standardization and Implementation Challenges under the EU AI Act (led by Dr. Robert Kilian, Board Member of KI Bundesverband). Key Findings: 1️⃣ ~30 technical standards are expected, but the process is too complex to be completed in a few months - at least another 12 months are needed. 2️⃣ SMEs lack resources for standardisation, which is dominated by large players. Compliance costs of over €200,000 per company risk stifling innovation. 👇 The link to the full study is in the comments. Many thanks to the authors: Robert Kilian, Linda M. Jaeck (General Catalyst) and Dominik Ebel (CertifAI)! 🗣️ What do you think? What are the biggest compliance challenges facing AI companies today? Let's discuss! Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania CroAI (Croatian AI Association) Hub France IA KI Bundesverband ai4si (AI for Slovenia) AI Cluster Bulgaria Nederlandse AI Coalitie | NL AIC Fundacja Digital Poland, Česká asociace umělé inteligence

European AI is growing! One of our founding members, CroAI (Croatian AI Association), just launched the first interactive map of the Croatian AI ecosystem. This dynamic, open map showcases 500+ organizations, startups, research teams, and initiatives shaping Croatia’s AI landscape; an impressive example of what a focused national ecosystem can achieve. 🧠 In just five years, the Croatian AI community has more than doubled 💸 Over €140 million invested in the past 12 months 🏢 100+ AI startups, 50+ solution providers 📈 Traditional industries like banking, telecoms and consulting are entering the AI space At EAIF - European AI Forum, our mission is to help shape how AI is built and governed across Europe, bringing together entrepreneurs and policymakers to define the future of European AI innovation. The map is a model for how national ecosystems can organize, showcase, and accelerate their AI efforts. We believe in a sovereign, collaborative and competitive AI future for Europe. And it starts by making our ecosystems more visible. 🔗 Explore the Croatian AI map (link in comments)

🇪🇺 Europe's Defining Moment to Lead in AI 🇪🇺 Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and recent turbulence in US-EU relations, our continent faces a clear wake-up call and a critical opportunity to define its own path forward. In their op-ed piece for Sifted, Rasmus Rothe and Robert Kilian, board members of KI Bundesverband, one of the founding organisations of the EAIF - European AI Forum, explain why this moment represents a significant inflection point for Europe's AI ecosystem, and even cause for optimism: 1️⃣ Europe is becoming more innovation-friendly: Despite criticism, the EU AI Act affects only 10-20% of enterprises. Most companies face only transparency obligations, not restrictions, with EU legislators pivoting toward incentivising development. 2️⃣ Strategic investment is growing: Initiatives like InvestAI's €200 billion fund demonstrate Europe's commitment to fueling AI innovation as regulators work to reduce administrative burdens by 25-35%. 3️⃣ Europe's unique advantages: Our exceptional talent pool, research institutions, and domain expertise in key industries (manufacturing, healthcare, logistics) position us perfectly to develop AI with meaningful real-world applications. As Rasmus Rothe and Robert Kilian emphasise: "Europe not only has the tools and capability to compete in the AI race, but we also now have the moral obligation to build the next great wave of companies here, with European talent and European values." This is Europe's moment, let's seize it! 🇪🇺 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/enJNrS3q

🇪🇺  EAIF welcomes EU AI investments but calls for stronger focus on startups and innovation 🇪🇺 Our European umbrella organization, the European AI Forum (EAIF), consisting of 10 national AI associations representing more than 2,000 AI companies, which connects leading AI startups and deep-tech companies across Europe with industry and policy makers, has taken a position on the announced AI investments. The announcement of €109 billion in private investments in France and the EU Commission's InvestAI initiative with €200 billion for European AI show: Europe recognizes the strategic importance of AI. But the crucial question remains: Will these funds actually reach the most innovative players – startups and scale-ups? EAIF's core recommendations: ✅  Secure at least 50% of funds for AI startups and scale-ups ✅  Transparent reporting on fund distribution and innovation impact ✅  Open & accessible AI gigafactories for the entire ecosystem ✅  Fast-track funding for promising AI startups – funding within 6 months ✅  Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate European data spaces ✅  Merit-based allocation of GPUs & HPC resources Europe has the potential to become a leading AI nation. But this can only succeed if the right investment mechanisms are in place. The EAIF therefore calls for an EU-wide strategic investment model that channels capital directly into forward-looking AI technologies through partnerships between institutional investors, large corporations, and venture capital. Now is the time to act! The coming months will determine Europe's competitiveness in the global AI landscape. Read the full press release here:  https://lnkd.in/eaSJA2Q9 Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania CroAI (Croatian AI Association) Hub France IA KI Bundesverband ai4si (AI for Slovenia) AI Cluster Bulgaria Nederlandse AI Coalitie | NL AIC Fundacja Digital Poland Česká asociace umělé inteligence

🇪🇺  EAIF welcomes EU AI investments but calls for stronger focus on startups and innovation 🇪🇺 Our European umbrella organization, the European AI Forum (EAIF), consisting of 10 national AI associations representing more than 2,000 AI companies, which connects leading AI startups and deep-tech companies across Europe with industry and policy makers, has taken a position on the announced AI investments. The announcement of €109 billion in private investments in France and the EU Commission's InvestAI initiative with €200 billion for European AI show: Europe recognizes the strategic importance of AI. But the crucial question remains: Will these funds actually reach the most innovative players – startups and scale-ups? EAIF's core recommendations: ✅  Secure at least 50% of funds for AI startups and scale-ups ✅  Transparent reporting on fund distribution and innovation impact ✅  Open & accessible AI gigafactories for the entire ecosystem ✅  Fast-track funding for promising AI startups – funding within 6 months ✅  Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate European data spaces ✅  Merit-based allocation of GPUs & HPC resources Europe has the potential to become a leading AI nation. But this can only succeed if the right investment mechanisms are in place. The EAIF therefore calls for an EU-wide strategic investment model that channels capital directly into forward-looking AI technologies through partnerships between institutional investors, large corporations, and venture capital. Now is the time to act! The coming months will determine Europe's competitiveness in the global AI landscape. Read the full press release here:  https://lnkd.in/eaSJA2Q9 Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania CroAI (Croatian AI Association) Hub France IA KI Bundesverband ai4si (AI for Slovenia) AI Cluster Bulgaria Nederlandse AI Coalitie | NL AIC Fundacja Digital Poland Česká asociace umělé inteligence

📣 Joint Statement by the European AI Forum, ADRA and EIT Digital 📣 With the announcement of the Stargate project in the US, China's AI investment plan and the release of DeepSeek, the world's AI superpowers are doubling down on innovation, infrastructure and strategic autonomy. Meanwhile, Europe risks falling further behind - not for lack of talent, research or ambition, but because of bottlenecks in infrastructure, investment, bureaucracy and regulation. Thus, the EAIF - European AI Forum, Adra - AI-Data-Robotics-Association and EIT Digital, strongly believe that Europe cannot stand still. Instead, we must seize this moment to define our own vision for AI leadership, in line with European values. ⚡ Now is the time for the EU: ✅ Policy-makers must leverage momentum from industry to consider a bold and ambitious strategy to double-down on the AI opportunity. ✅ Collaborate more closely to craft a public-private venture together with key colleagues in the EC that will unlock value and return on investment for industry; enhance our AI infrastructure and research; and accelerate innovation and the deployment of state-of-the-art AI, Data and Robotics technologies made in Europe. The momentum is there. European industry leaders have already called for a bolder AI vision in Europe. We must listen and act. The EU now faces a clear choice: embrace AI as a strategic priority and drive innovation  - or risk falling behind in the global AI economy. The time for action is now. 📢 Read the full joint statement below 👇 Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania CroAI (Croatian AI Association) Hub France IA KI Bundesverband ai4si (AI for Slovenia) AI Cluster Bulgaria Nederlandse AI Coalitie | NL AIC Fundacja Digital Poland Česká asociace umělé inteligence

An interview with our President on US stargate project👇

🌍 Shaping the Future of Global AI Governance Daniel Abbou, President of the EAIF - European AI Forum, will be participating in the roundtable, "More than AI Act: Road to Global AI Governance," at the AI House Davos on January 21, 2025, at 1:20 PM. 🤝 This high-level discussion brings together policy-makers, CEOs, and ministers to reflect on the successes and limitations of the AI Act. Daniel and other experts will share invaluable insights into the Act’s impact across industries and explore how recent international developments in AI regulation can bolster its framework. Other participants includes Dariusz Standerski, PhD, Radosław Maćkiewicz, Franziska Weindauer, Dave Henry, Dr. Frauke Goll, Guillem Martínez Roura, Ayisha Piotti, Dr Agnieszka Jankowska, David Roberts, Hans Jörg Stotz As AI continues to reshape our world, conversations like these are critical to crafting inclusive, forward-thinking policies that foster innovation while safeguarding ethical principles. Stay tuned for updates on this essential dialogue for global AI governance! #Davos2025 #WEF #AIRegulation #GlobalAI #EuropeanAIForum #AIHouseDavos

Under the patronage of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union and with proud support from the European AI Forum, we are sharing info about the theme of this year's AI House Davos 2025: ‘After the hype’. Co-hosted by the Polish Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji and taking place alongside the World Economic Forum, this year's focus cuts through the noise to address what matters most. The initial AI excitement has settled—now comes the crucial work of transforming potential into real-world impact. This is a pivotal moment in history. The decisions we make today will shape our societies, industries, and lives for generations. At AI House Davos the team is laser-focused on moving beyond theoretical discussions to tackle the essential question: How do we harness AI's immense capabilities to build a future that truly serves everyone? Join AI House Davos for an exceptional program of panels, networking opportunities, art nights, and more—all designed to explore paths toward an innovative, equitable, and sustainable AI-enabled world. Organisers will be announcing additional highlights in the days leading up to the event. Our board representatives will be present at the event: Daniel Abbou, Piotr Mieczkowski, Linas Petkevičius, PhD, Kaloyan Ratchev. If you're planning to be in #Davos, explore and register for event. #AIHouseDavos

🎉 IT’S A WRAP  | 10TH EUROPEAN AI FORUM 🎉 As we look back on the 10th edition of the European AI Forum, we are thrilled by the lively discussions and groundbreaking insights shared. This event once again highlighted the dynamic and innovative spirit of the AI sector in Europe. The anniversary conference was hosted by German AI Association (KI Bundesverband) in Berlin and streamed live all around the world. 💡 For those who couldn't make it, here's a recap of the highlights: 🌟 Keynotes on AI Innovation in Europe by:  Dr. Anna Christmann (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz), Thomas Jarzombek (Member of the German Parliament), Erik Siegl (Czech Embassy in Berlin), Sergey Lagodinsky (Member of the European Parliament), Dariusz Standerski, PhD (Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs), and Dario Zoric (Danish Embassy in Prague) 🌟 Keynotes on the Implementation of the AI Act by:  Armand Zorn (Member of the German Parliament), Robert Kilian (CertifAI), Kai Zenner (Head of Office to MEP Axel Voss), Klaus Müller (Bundesnetzagentur), and Dr. Arnault Ioualalen (Numalis) 🌟 Panel discussions with:  Dr. Matthias Koehler (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz), Franziska Weindauer (TÜV AI.Lab), Dr. Annika von Mutius (Empion), and Ana Dujić (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales) 🌟 Keynotes on European Digital Sovereignty by:  Dr. Clara Herdeanu (Xayn), Falk Weinreich (OVHcloud), Prof. Joanna Bryson (Hertie School), Prof. Dr. Paulius Pakutinskas (Mykolas Romeris University), and Jan Frömberg (Cloud&Heat Technologies GmbH) 📣 And our very own announcement, the Česká asociace umělé inteligence joining the European AI Forum as its 10th member! For a full replay of the 10th European AI Forum's engaging discussions and presentations, click on this link: https://lnkd.in/e_j5KjBE