AI EU & country situation and players

AI stakeholders in EU and at country level

Who are the stakeholders of AI?

The “stakeholders” are those typically invited to the table to create guidelines and principles: academics and researchers, companies, governments, institutions and Civil Society Organisations with dedicated interest in AI issues.

Source: https://www.freepik.es/vector-premium/gran-grupo-personas-forma-bandera-union-europea_15553908.htm#page=2&query=union%20europea&position=6&from_view=search

… so we can see there is a wide range of actors that come from the public and the private sector.

Let’s take a look at public and private funding in the EU.

Tips to explore and find the Key stakeholders in your count

PUBLIC EU funding: example:

Source of image: https://energy.danube-region.eu/the-last-european-green-deal-call-is-now-open/

1 Between 2014 and 2017, the EU invested around 1.1 billion euros in AI-related research under the multi-annual R&D funding program Horizon 2020.

Source of image: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/worldwide/north-america/horizon-europes-first-strategic-plan-adopted

2. Under Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020’s successor, the European Commission proposes to invest 100 billion euros for research and innovation to strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological bases; boost its innovation capacity, competitiveness, and jobs; and deliver on citizens’ priorities and sustain Europe’s socioeconomic model and values.

PRIVATE Investment in AI

We have already seen that, in Europe, the public funding for AI is increasing… but what about PRIVATE INVESTMENT?.
We also know that the EU approach includes attracting more than €20 billion of total investment in AI per year in the EU over this decade (2020-30)... but what is the situation now?
Overall, the biggest part of the investment in AI technology seems to come from industry and private funds.
At the same time, the leader in European private investments, United Kingdom, had 20 times fewer such investments than the US.

Key EU stakeholders around AI including funding

European Landscape

Europe has a leading edge in AI and robotics, and this expertise is also reflected in the level of investment in Europe from world leading companies, either in existing labs or companies, or in creating new major R&D labs in Europe.
In addition, Europe has a vibrant start-up landscape.

However, these AI resources are scattered throughout Europe, and we must acknowledge that international competition is fierce.

Key AI stakeholders

In January 2018 the European Commission in collaboration with EurAI, the European Artificial Intelligence Association, organised a workshop on the European AI landscape, considering academic, industry, and governmental initiatives, with a view to sharing information and strategies for AI across Europe.

European Artificial Intelligence Association. Source of the image: https://www.di.uoa.gr/en/research/eurai

The workshop was attended by academics, researchers, and representatives of industry and governments from EU Member States and Associated Countries
The report from the workshop, EUROPEAN AI LANDSCAPE, is an initial snapshot of the European AI landscape

Further resources: Videos and/or useful links

Artificial Intelligence for a Better Future: An Ecosystem Perspective on the Ethics of AI and Emerging Digital Technologies. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Overview-of-AI-stakeholders_fig5_350145269
Infographic: What will the Digital Europe programme fund? https://www.schumanassociates.com/images/easyblog_articles/328/b2ap3_large_digital-graph.jpg

Self-reflection

Look at your country’s situation and find out who are the key stakeholders:

The European AI Landscape Online report is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/communities/sites/jrccties/files/reportontheeuropeanailandscapeworkshop.pdf

Take a look and match it with all the data they have been able to spot from module 2. Try to find out about:

The Public academic ecosystem
The Public government initiatives
The Private industry ecosystem
… and the next steps.

You are invited to watch some of the PERFORM AI digital stories AND animations. Reflect and share their opinion related to the following questions – e.g.

How many companies have you spotted?
Which countries are they from?
Were they very different from each other?

You are invited to read the following article:

https://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/european-ai-alliance/blog/ai-watch-index-2021-report-eu-has-comparative-advantage-autonomous-robotics-ai-services

and answer the following questions (as examples):

What is the EU good at when speaking about AI? In which specific areas can be considered a “frontrunner”?
In which areas is the EU lagging behind?
Spot other countries' advantages: which countries are also good when speaking about AI? In which areas?

References

AI Watch: National strategies on Artificial Intelligence: A European perspective, 2021 edition. Online report available at: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/ai-watch/national-strategies-artificial-intelligence_en
A European approach to artificial intelligence, EC, 27 September 2021. Available at: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-intelligence
Europe and AI: Leading, Lagging Behind, or Carving Its Own Way? Erik Brattberg. Raluca Csernatoni. Venesa Rugova. Copyright Date: Jul. 1, 2020. Available at: https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/07/09/europe-and-ai-leading-lagging-behind-or-carving-its-own-way-pub-82236#:~:text=Europe's%20private%20research%2C%20development%2C%20and,3.3%20percent%20in%20South%20Korea.
Europe fit for the Digital Age: Commission proposes new rules and actions for excellence and trust in Artificial Intelligence. 21 April 2021. Available at (Bottom line): https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_1682
National strategies on Artificial Intelligence. 09 July 2021. https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/ai-watch/national-strategies-artificial-intelligence_en
The European AI Landscape: Online report available at: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/communities/sites/jrccties/files/reportontheeuropeanailandscapeworkshop.pdf