EDIH Spotlight: AI Boost, Denmark

About the Spotlight series

The EDIH Spotlight series showcases digital innovation hubs across Europe and the difference they make for SMEs and public organisations. In each edition, we introduce a hub, its mission and how it supports organisations on their digital and AI journeys.

About AI Boost

AI Boost is the European Digital Innovation Hub for Greater Copenhagen and a key entry point for SMEs and public organisations that want to explore or adopt AI. The hub offers hands on support through AI readiness assessments, strategic sparring, test before invest services and access to specialist expertise from universities and innovation partners. More than 1 000 companies have already taken part in AI Boost activities, making it one of Denmark’s central drivers of responsible and value creating AI adoption.

Interview with Signe Ingholt Gaarde, Project Coordinator at AI Boost

What is AI Boost’s mission and how do you support companies?

Our goal is to make AI accessible for SMEs and public organisations. Many companies are curious about AI but unsure where to start. We help them understand where AI can create value, what data they need and how they can begin working with it in a responsible and realistic way.

Our approach always starts with business needs. We ask companies about their goals, their challenges and the processes where AI could make a difference. From there, we offer sparring, readiness assessments, expert input and test before invest services. This gives them a clearer path forward and reduces the risk of investing in the wrong solution.

Can you share an example of an AI project you recently supported?

We helped a company that develops AI based moisture detection for buildings. With our support, they refined their model and improved the accuracy of their diagnostics. This has real impact for building owners because better detection reduces damage, costs and long term risks. It is a good example of how AI can create practical value when the business case is clear.

Which organisations benefit most from AI Boost’s services?

We work with SMEs at many different stages of digital maturity. Some are taking their very first steps, others already have experience with data and automation. What they all have in common is that they want guidance that is concrete and adapted to their reality.

Many SMEs struggle with understanding their data or deciding where AI makes sense. That is where we come in. We help them identify the right starting point and connect them with the right expertise.

How do you collaborate with the wider Danish ecosystem?

We work closely with partners such as AI Denmark, EuroCC and CAISA. The goal is to offer a coherent experience to companies, not a fragmented one. This collaboration makes it easier for SMEs to find the support they need.

We also exchange regularly with other Danish EDIHs and with hubs across Europe. It is very valuable for us to see how others structure their services, especially on AI readiness, advanced sparring and responsible data use.

What are your priorities for the next phase of AI Boost?

We are strengthening our advanced sparring formats for companies that are ready to go further with AI. We are also building stronger links to funding opportunities, because many SMEs need support to take the next step.

Another priority is deepening our role as a one stop shop for AI. This includes helping companies navigate HPC resources, AI Factories and the guidance coming with the AI Act. We want companies to feel well supported throughout their entire AI journey.

What advice do you give SMEs that want to start using AI?

Start with your business goals. Be clear about what you want to improve or solve. Then look at your data. You do not need perfect data, but you need to understand what you have and how it can be used.

My other advice is to take small steps. Build capacity gradually, involve your team and keep responsibility at the centre of your approach. Good data management and transparency matter from the very beginning. It creates trust and it makes the whole process easier.