European Digital Innovation Hubs are evolving into AI Experience Centres, offering training, regulatory guidance, and ethical support to help SMEs and public organizations adopt AI effectively.

An AI Act Service Desk will be introduced to assist stakeholders with implementing the AI Act and providing relevant information.

Initiatives like the Apply AI Alliance forum and the Frontier AI project will foster dialogue among stakeholders, including civil society and public institutions, to promote AI adoption and innovation.

A letter signed by 46 companies in July called for a two-year pause on certain upcoming provisions of the EU AI Act, citing regulatory challenges.

The strategy includes establishing AI Experience Centers, transforming Digital Innovation Hubs, and creating platforms such as the Apply AI Alliance and AI Observatory to monitor trends, promote collaboration, and assess AI risks.

Under the RAISE initiative, €58 million will support pilot projects like Networks of Excellence and Doctoral Networks to attract and retain AI and scientific talent.

AI adoption in the public sector is seen as crucial, with success depending on leadership, innovation, and internal expertise, supported by the JRC's Public Sector Tech Watch tracking AI use cases.

EU data shows only 13.5% of companies used AI in 2024, with Italy at 8.2%, indicating significant room for growth compared to the US and China.

The strategy emphasizes supporting SMEs, developing an AI-ready workforce, and leveraging AI capabilities through European Digital Innovation Centers, now transformed into AI expertise centers.

Europe aims to lead in AI-driven scientific innovation through the creation of RAISE, a virtual institute that centralizes resources for AI research and application, fostering collaboration and transforming ideas into market-ready solutions.

The European Commission has launched two comprehensive AI strategies aimed at positioning Europe as a leader in artificial intelligence, focusing on industry, public sector, and scientific research.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the goal of developing AI predominantly within Europe and announced plans to accelerate AI adoption across sectors such as healthcare, energy, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

The strategy promotes European-made AI tools to enhance security, resilience, and competitiveness, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, defense, and manufacturing.