The first session of the AI NoES Horizons | Q&A Sessions, organised by dAIEDGE, brought together more than sixty professionals from the European AI ecosystem to reflect on a shared challenge: how to build truly stakeholder-oriented AI capable of generating real impact in industry, research and society. Entitled ‘The Role of AI NoEs: Stakeholder-Centred Innovation’, the session began with a central idea: Europe is at a key moment to consolidate an AI innovation model that does not rely solely on isolated technological advances, but on structured collaboration between projects, institutions and communities. The AI NoES Horizons cycle was created precisely to promote this continuous exchange, allowing the various AI Networks of Excellence to share advances, best practices and long-term visions.
In this context, Horizon Enfield, euROBIN project and dAIEDGE presented their complementary approaches, highlighting the unique nature of this network: it is the only European Network of Excellence dedicated exclusively to robotics Following this, the debate with attendees highlighted three ideas that cut across all networks:
- The first is that stakeholder participation must be integrated from the outset, not as a final step. SMEs, digital innovation centres, citizens and other projects must be part of the process of designing, validating and evaluating technologies. There can be no responsible innovation without ongoing dialogue.
- The second key idea is that the sustainability of projects does not depend solely on funding, but on the ability to keep the communities, infrastructures and tools that are created alive. Initiatives such as open calls, open platforms and shared laboratories reduce barriers to entry for small teams and allow results to have an impact beyond the funding cycle.
- Finally, all projects agreed that responsibility, ethics, regulation and technical aspects must be part of AI design from the outset.
The session concluded with a sense of collective momentum. More than an isolated event, this first AI NoES Horizons meeting marks the beginning of a stable space for collaboration where European networks of excellence can move forward together in building AI that is scientifically and technologically cutting-edge, but also reliable, sustainable and aligned with real needs. The next sessions in the cycle will continue to explore this shared vision, providing a meeting point for all the players who are shaping the future of European AI.
We are already starting to prepare for the next conference! In the meantime, to make the wait more enjoyable... you can now watch this session on our YouTube channel.
See you soon!