Text: Kseniia Chernikova
The European Testing and Experimentation Facilities (xTEF) event, aptly named “xTEF, are open for Business!” marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Europe.
Hosted by TEF-Healthalong with the other TEFs, CitCom.AI, agrifoodTEF, and AI-MATTERS, the event showcased the collaborative spirit and the strides made in AI technology and experimentation across the continent.
Starting with a welcoming speech from Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin, and Lucilla Sioli, Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry at the European Commission the conference brought together in one place the roundtable discussions, deep dives into AI in Europe, and the unveiling of the results of four TEFs highlighting the collective efforts to push the boundaries of AI innovation and its application.
Four TEFs were proudly welcoming the fifth TEF Prevail Project, aiming to establish and start operating the core of a networked, multi-hub platform providing prototype chip fabrication capability in advanced technology to EU stakeholders for Artificial Intelligence applications.
An important milestone of the official launch ceremony was a presentation of the biggest achievements of CitCom.ai by bringing the innovative results of the CitCom.ai service catalogue development to almost 200 stakeholders from the European continent.
Image below: Lucilla Sioli, Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry at the European Commission. Photo: Kseniia Chernikova
Citcom.ai: Spearheading the AI Revolution for SMEs
CitCom.AI, at the heart of these discussions, stood out as a beacon for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) looking to harness the power of AI. The event underlined Citcom’s pivotal role in driving the European AI revolution, emphasizing its commitment to ethical AI as a key driver for growth and bridging the gap between innovation and smart cities’ development. These themes have been recurrent in CitCom’s discourse, reflecting its vision and the essence of its mission within the AI ecosystem in Europe.
The discussions at the event also spotlighted the CitCom.ai Market Report, an insightful document mapping the AI trends across the EU. This report is instrumental in understanding the landscape of AI in Europe, offering a comprehensive overview of the innovations, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead. It serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders across the spectrum, from policymakers to innovators, underlining the market dynamics and the potential pathways for AI’s evolution in the region.
Another focal point of the event was the round table where representatives of four TEFs presented their processes, latest achievements and results. Dr. Martin Brynskov, Technical University of Denmark, coordinator and lead of the CitCom.ai TEF, introduced the first results of the CitCom Service Catalogue.
Martin Brynskov, Technical University of Denmark, coordinator and lead of the CitCom.ai TEF, says: “Europe is much faster in terms of implementing technologies, and we already can see AI becoming real. In this context, investors and SMEs should understand the market, and TEFs successfully do this job by providing services for its better understanding and implementing safe and sustainable technologies. Thus, we are pleased to open the CitCom.ai testing and experimentation facilities (TEF) services for cities and communities. Our goal is to ensure that European big companies and SMEs have easier access to business development through standardised TEFs in a large number of European countries and provide the safety and security of AI services that are rapidly transforming critical infrastructures in society. Thus, we are glad to offer developers and owners of AI technologies to effectively test their ideas and solutions before they are launched in society.”
Though not fully unveiled, it represents a groundbreaking initiative by Citcom.ai to catalogue the services offered by its partners. This initiative is designed to provide a clear, comprehensive glimpse into the value generated by the CitCom.ai TEF and its consequential impact on the European AI landscape. It aims to empower AI innovators and cities with the tools and knowledge to experiment with AI solutions, tailored to their unique needs and contexts.
Image below: Martin Brynskov, Coordinator at CitCom.ai TEF. Photo: Kseniia Chernikov
Empowering AI Innovators and Cities Through the Service Catalogue
The CitCom Service Catalogue is envisioned as a central hub, facilitating efficient discovery, access, and utilization of a wide array of services. It underscores the collaborative effort to streamline communication and offer stakeholders a clear understanding of the available services. This initiative is particularly valuable for AI innovators and cities, aiming to create a seamless conduit for experimenting with AI solutions that are trustworthy and adapted to specific needs and maturity levels.
The catalogue is expected to serve various stakeholders, from AI innovators looking to test aspects of their solutions to cities seeking to address particular challenges. By listing the services offered by CitCom.ai partners, the catalogue adds a layer of transparency and accessibility, making it easier for these entities to engage with the TEF and leverage its offerings for their benefit. The catalogue covers various categories of services offered by the CitCom.ai TEF, including:
- Virtual and Physical Facility Services,
- Algorithm Creation & Validation,
- Compliance & Ethics Assistance,
- Impact Assessment
- Opportunity Assessment & Scoping,
- Ecosystem Engagement.
These services are designed to address the comprehensive needs of AI innovators and cities, facilitating everything from the initial idea exploration to the deployment and validation of AI solutions within real-life contexts.
Looking ahead, the CitCom Service Catalogue and the services validated during the experiments are poised for fine-tuning, reflecting an ongoing commitment to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of the European AI landscape. This dynamic approach ensures that the CitCom.ai TEF remains at the forefront of AI innovation, ready to support AI innovators and cities as they navigate the complexities and opportunities of AI deployment.
The “xTEF, are open for Business” conference not only celebrated the achievements and collaborations within the AI sector in Europe but also laid the groundwork for future innovations. CitCom.ai, with its clear focus on supporting SMEs and driving ethical AI development, is well-positioned to lead this journey, fostering an environment where AI can thrive and contribute to the smart development of cities across Europe.
The CitCom Service Catalogue is a testament to this vision, promising a future where AI solutions are accessible, impactful, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem.
Image below: Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin. Photo: Kseniia Chernikova
