Interreg grant for supporting SMEs with responsible AI innovation
The EU-funded Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland program has granted a subsidy to the INNOVAITE project, coordinated by Tilburg University. As part of this project, and in co-creation with small and medium-sized enterprises, instruments and standards are being developed to use AI in ethically and legally responsible ways.
Within INNOVAITE, Tilburg University has joined forces with Fontys, KU Leuven, regional development companies and businesses in the Netherlands and Flanders, among other institutions. The goal of the collaboration is helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate with AI in responsible ways.
Many SMEs miss opportunities to innovate
Research by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs has shown that entrepreneurs often know that AI is relevant but have trouble practically interpreting the concept and the standards and guidelines involved, including the European AI Act. At the same time, studies by the European Commission, PwC, and Deloitte have shown that SMEs pay structurally less attention to the ethical and legal implications of AI than large businesses. This lack of knowledge and confidence leads to risks concerning bias, privacy, and transparency, or even to avoiding AI applications for fear of legislation. As a result, enterprises miss out on opportunities to innovate and retain their competitive position.
INNOVAITE provides SMEs with frameworks, knowledge, and practical tools
The goal of INNOVAITE is to provide SMEs with knowledge, frameworks, and tools to develop and implement responsible AI solutions. Specific outcomes of the project include the following:
- a practically applicable ethical and legal AI framework with guidelines and best practices;
- access to expertise and training;
- demand-driven training programs for SMEs according to the principles of Lifelong Development;
- practice-oriented living labs, where policy and research are translated into concrete applications.
The living labs will not only benefit small and medium-sized enterprises but also public institutions from the region. The labs focus on three domains where AI can have a great impact: healthcare, democracy and citizen participation, and learning and education.
Project partners together create an interregional ecosystem
Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland, that subsidizes the INNOVAITE project, is a program funded by the European Union. It focuses on supporting collaboration between Flanders and the Netherlands for a better Europe.
By combining knowledge and networks, INNOVAITE helps create an ecosystem in which scientific evidence, ethical reflection, and practical application reinforce each other.
Project partners together create an interregional ecosystem
Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland, that subsidizes the INNOVAITE project, is a program funded by the European Union. It focuses on supporting collaboration between Flanders and the Netherlands for a better Europe.
By combining knowledge and networks, INNOVAITE helps create an ecosystem in which scientific evidence, ethical reflection, and practical application reinforce each other.
The Dutch partners
- Tilburg University, that distinguishes itself by its integrated focus on the technical aspects of AI, applied ethics, and the social impact and acceptance of AI technology.
- Midpoint Brabant, a development company that connects entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, and local authorities in Central Brabant. Through Midpoint Brabant Services, the organization reaches more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, among other things, by offering guidance for their digitalization and AI projects.
- MindLabs, a partnership, located in Tilburg, of knowledge institutions, local authorities, and companies that focuses on human-centered AI. Within INNOVAITE, MindLabs functions as a linking pin for entrepreneurs and educational institutions and facilitates collaboration within living labs.
- Fontys, one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands connecting students, instructors, and companies in regional innovation projects. Through initiatives like the Digital Collaborative Center (Digitale Werkplaats), a large SME network is reached and supported in digitalization and other AI applications.
Besides Midpoint and MindLabs, other regional development organizations in Brabant are also involved. This gives the project a Brabant-wide range, reaching companies across the whole province.
The Flemish partners
- KU Leuven, internationally known for its expertise in legal and ethical frameworks around AI and its ability to translate research into guidelines and standards.
- Leuven MindGate, an organization with 400+ member organizations that connects businesses and knowledge and government institutions in the Leuven innovation region.
- VITO, a prominent research and technology institute for sustainable development. Within INNOVAITE, VITO contributes with expertise in data architectures, AI, ethics, and privacy and high-performance computing.
- Thomas More, the largest university of applied sciences in Flanders and an important driver of regional innovation. Their Mobilab & Care research group conducts research at the interface between healthcare, wellbeing, and technology, with a focus on prevention and social integration. The group collaborates closely with professionals, businesses, and government institutions to develop and test solutions in realistic environments.
- AP Antwerpen, a university of applied sciences with strong roots in society and the professional field. Their Media, Design & IT knowledge center focuses on AI research, data-driven personalization, user experience design, and sustainable communication technology.
Time frame, budget, and people involved
The duration of the project is three years. The total project budget is € 2.6 million, € 1.6 million of which for Tilburg University.
The INNOVAITE project proposal was drafted with input by the Knowledge Transfer Office, the Digital Sciences for Society program, and Tilburg University’s Lifelong Development program. Employees of these programs are also involved in the implementation.
The multidisciplinary research team of Tilburg University consists of researchers from the Departments of Communication and Cognition and Philosophy of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences and of the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, respectively
