AIRE

The artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics EDIH AIRE facilitates innovation in Estonian manufacturing by bringing together the core competencies of universities, science parks and research centres in the fields of AI and robotics, and the SMEs in Estonia and Europe, working in close collaboration with other AI-related centres and initiatives in Estonia and Europe. The hub is run by a highly capable and experienced consortium led by the Tallinn University of Technology, and its partners are the University of Tartu, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tehnopol Science and Business Park, Tartu Science Park, and competence centre IMECC, supported by other key stakeholders as associate partners. AIRE’s objectives are (1) to increase the digital maturity of the manufacturing SMEs, (2) to increase investments into industrial digitalisation, (3) to create sustainable EDIH ecosystem in Estonia and involve relevant stakeholders from the EU, (4) to improve the target groups' skills and competences on AI and robotics, and (5) to increase market maturity and market creation potential of Estonian innovations. To achieve this, the focus is on the ‘test before invest’ activities (WP2), incl. digital maturity assessment and related individual consulting and roadmapping for clients, and implementation of proof-of-concept AI and robotics demo projects and experiments with manufacturing companies. This is supported by AI and robotics related trainings (WP3), access to finance services (WP4) and ecosystem development (WP5). AIRE will contribute to long-term policy objectives of Estonia and the EU. Based on the strategic view of the Estonian state, in 2022-2025 AIRE focuses on the manufacturing industry as the primary target group and up to 10% of the budget is allocated to cross-sectoral AI pilots in health technology and tourism to widen the impact and illustrate transferability. From 2025+, AIRE will more strongly address a wider range of sectors in the future from 2025+.