We presented ourselves at the annual event of digital innovation hubs: Digitising European Industry Stakeholder Forum 2019 in Madrid

25/11/2019

We attended the annual event of digital innovation hubs: “Digitizing European Industry Stakeholder Forum 2019” in Madrid, where the final event of the DIHELP project also took place. 30 digital innovation hubs from all European countries presented themselves at the Forum and were given an opportunity to find complementary partners to participate in the upcoming “Digital Europe” program.

The Stakeholder Forum is a public event organised on a yearly basis by the European Commission and one Member State within the context of the Digitising European Industry initiative (DEI). In coordination with the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourismm this year’s edition focused on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Hubs – beyond 2020″

Artificial Intelligence is already showing its potential to tackle long-term challenges and to provide cost effective solutions. European policies are prioritising such potential through the support of Digital Innovation Hubs, industrial partnerships and a variety of additional initiatives that include funding instruments and other opportunities. On the other hand, ethical implications and legislative initiatives are receiving a prominent position in policy projections beyond 2020.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications are quickly becoming a core element of many industrial environments, the upcoming Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programmes are shaped to strongly support investments for the development and widespread deployment of digital technologies. Discussions unfolded around the ways in which digital transformation is shaping industry around Europe and how such transformation can be channeled towards a strong and innovative industrial ecosystem.

The event provided an opportunity for different actors involved in the digital value chain to share experiences, exchange best practices and discuss the future of EU digital industrial policy. Among them were representatives from Member States and regions, national initiatives for digitalisation, industry, SMEs, academia, Digital Innovation Hubs and research and technology centres. Between keynote speeches and participatory discussions, the event offered the  possibility for online feedback provision.