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AI hub Brainport is fully committed to accelerate Artificial Intelligence
Companies, knowledge and educational institutes and campuses in and around Brainport Eindhoven have joined forces and are fully committed to develop and accelerate Artificial Intelligence technology, competences and employment in the near future. Investing in AI is an absolute necessity to remain internationally competitive.
Pioneers in AI
In the years to come, the government and parties that are part of the AI-hub Brainport will invest heavily in strengthening the national and regional AI ecosystem. The attention is not only aimed at companies and knowledge and educational institutes, but also at (future) talent, teachers and a wide audience. Recently, a large-scale awareness campaign and an AI course for all Brainport inhabitants started. This week the ‘Pioneers in AI campaign’ is launched that is aimed at the total ecosystem. In this campaign pioneers in AI take the stage during webinars, podcasts, interviews and more.
AI-hub Brainport
The Brainport AI hub was launched at the end of last year. It is a partnership that is part of the NL AI Coalition, in which seven national AI hubs work together to support knowledge institutes, governments, industry and campuses to implement responsible and relevant AI applications significantly faster, to accelerate knowledge and expertise creation and to increase access to national and European resources.
AI essential for regional earning capacity
Brainport and the province of Noord-Brabant have been investing in the development and application of AI for years. With 137 AI-related patents, Noord-Brabant is in the top four European regions with the most AI patents. However, not only companies, but also knowledge institutes are committed to have a stronger focus on the possibilities of AI. Ultimately, a large part of the regional earning capacity will be realized through the application of AI in the products and services that the region produces. In addition to the economic aspect of AI, the human aspect also plays an important role in the AI -hub Brainport. The social acceptance of AI is an important topic as well.
The strategy of AI-Hub Brainport
“The Netherlands faces a number of challenges in accelerating the development of AI,” says Floor Swinkels, AI program manager at Brainport Development. “These challenges mostly concern investments, availability of data and sufficient suitable talent. As a result, AI innovations at companies and government are now getting off to a slow start. In the Brainport Eindhoven region we want to accelerate this by focusing very specifically on the application of AI in the areas that we are good at: high-tech, smart mobility and medical technology. The necessary preconditions for making this a success are: (people-oriented) research & innovation, focus on startups & scale-ups, innovative SMEs, the training of specialists and students, and the training and (re) training of employees. Finally, AI has an impact on everyone in the long term. That is why it is important to let a wide audience experience what AI is and what it means for them. ”
Awareness campaign and large-scale AI course for residents
Brainport recently started a large-scale AI course that is part of an awareness campaign about key technologies. The campaign is aimed at the talent of the future, the current generation of employees and students, teachers and a wide audience. “In Brainport, we believe it is important that the residents of the region know what is going on in this area,” Floor explains. “Everyone will have to deal with AI sooner or later. In addition, thousands of jobs will be created in the coming years as a result of this emerging key technology. That is why we have decided to develop an accessible course for the inhabitants of our region. Free. And for both young and old. ”
Pioneers in AI month
Working on new technologies is about pioneering, joining forces and smart collaboration, especially when it comes to AI. Because whether it concerns autonomously driving vehicles, robotization or making diagnoses in healthcare, AI ultimately has an impact on everyone. From 19 May to 10 June, AI-hub Brainport will therefore be putting the 'Pioneers in AI' on stage. You can see and hear them, read about them and talk to them in online events, Clubhouse rooms, podcasts and videos. The program contains additional interviews, stories and press releases. Follow the pioneers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.