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Building a Competitive AI Future: EIT AI Community and AI on Demand (AIoD) platform Synergies

NEWS
Wed 14 May 2025

In this article, we would like to highlight a pathway where Europe’s key AI initiatives like the AI on Demand platform and the EIT AI Community can create mutual benefits by leveraging each other’s activities and collaborating whenever possible. Examples where we could join forces include developing an EU-wide AI taxonomy, using existing EIT AI Community tools, and driving stakeholder engagement together.

Three Areas of Focus for Stronger European AI initiatives

1. Developing an EU-wide AI Taxonomy

A common language for AI taxonomy is essential for Europe to build a strong regulatory and innovation framework. The AIoD platform and the EIT AI Community can work together through co-hosted workshops and joint expert groups to refine and validate AI taxonomies. We must ensure that the European AI taxonomy remains practical, comprehensive, and aligned with other key initiatives such as the DSME Alliance, ADRA, and the European AI Forum. A harmonized, EU-wide AI taxonomy will not only support better policymaking and compliance but also create a more integrated market for AI solutions across sectors and member states.

2. Using Existing EIT AI Community Tools to Support SMEs and Startups

The EIT AI Community, led by EIT Digital, has developed a set of practical AI tools that can be highly valuable for startups and SMEs as they prepare for compliance under the AI Act and can be accessed through the collaboration with the AIoD platform. Examples –

  • EIT AI Conformity Tool – helping companies assess early their readiness for AI regulation.
  • AI Maturity Tool – allowing organizations to benchmark their AI capabilities and identify gaps.
  • Skills Sync Tool – mapping and addressing skills shortages in AI teams.
  • EIT Digital dAcademy – offering training and upskilling opportunities around AI

3. Driving Stakeholder Engagement Together

Europe’s AI ambitions can only be achieved with strong stakeholder mobilization. The AIoD platform and the EIT AI Community can collaborate on engagement activities, ensuring we bring in a wide range of stakeholders – innovators, startups, corporates, policymakers, academia, and citizens. Key activities may include engagement events, joint reports, and pre-acceleration efforts such as scouting and sourcing startups. Coordinated stakeholder engagement will not only help in building awareness but also create a stronger sense of ownership and commitment toward building a competitive, compliant, and human-centric AI future for Europe.

Conclusion – Drive Synergies Together

The AIoD platform and the EIT AI Community, represented by EIT Digital in the AI4Europe project, are well-positioned to drive complementary synergies, aligning capabilities, sharing tools and resources, and coordinating strategies to accelerate Europe’s leadership in AI. By working together smartly, practically, and collaboratively, Europe can not only keep pace but set new global standards for trustworthy, responsible, and competitive AI.

For more info: https://ai.eitcommunity.eu

Authors: Parul Chauthary, Susanne Kuehrer and Orestis Trasanidis (EIT Digital)