Consolidating leading national AI initiatives, supporting European entrepreneurs and citizens, the newly formed European AI Forum will engage proactively with European stakeholders to forge a truly European AI agenda.
BRUSSELS, 15 May 2023 - All industries are rapidly being revolutionised via the introduction of AI-based solutions, providing consumers and entrepreneurs with new and innovative products and services. In parallel, frameworks to guide these developments for the benefit of society, business and environment are emerging.
Following the Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence in Europe and in light of the extraordinary circumstances consumers and businesses are facing, national AI associations launch the European AI Forum (EAIF) to represent the European AI ecosystem. The EAIF is the first not-for-profit Brussels-based organisation acting as common European voice for more than 2,000 AI companies. Thereby, the EAIF becomes the largest representative of the European AI industry.
EAIF’s key goals are in line with the EU Agenda
Accelerating investment in AI, acting on AI strategies and programmes and aligning AI policy to avoid fragmentation in Europe are at the heart of the EAIF’s goals. The EAIF therefore intends to promote human-centric regulation, contribute to the design of an innovation-friendly environment, increase AI awareness, showcase the benefits of AI to stakeholders and the public as well as support talent and growth of AI-based solutions made in Europe. “All founding members are committed to enhancing their engagement beyond country borders and jointly determining the path forward for European AI innovation”, so Daniel Abbou, President of the EAIF.
To accomplish its mission, the EAIF is leveraging the expertise of a diverse group of leading national AI associations, including: CroAI (Croatia), Hub France IA (France), KI Bundesverband (Germany), AI4SI (Slovenia), AI Austria (Austria), AI Cluster Bulgaria (Bulgaria), NL AI Coalitie (Netherlands), Digitalpoland foundation (Poland) and the Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania (Lithuania). “The EAIF is designed by and for Europe’s AI community, aiming to serve as a resource and forum for education, information-sharing and networking between companies, policymakers and the general public”, so Jeannette Gorzala, Vice President of the EAIF.
Initially, the EAIF started as an informal initiative, bringing together policymakers, innovators and experts in the field of AI in its biannual conference, regularly attracting public interest and more than 12,000 viewers. “Formalizing our European cooperation is an important step in achieving our goals. We can now further expand and professionalize our organization. I am looking forward to taking "AI made in Europe" to the next level, with the human-centered approach at the forefront.”, so Marloes Pomp, Vice President of the EAIF.