Researchers across Europe are employing AI to address issues like underwater noise pollution, media fact-checking, and smarter farming. Previously, there was no common platform for sharing tools, data, and computing power. This is changing with AI-on-Demand (AIoD), a shared digital hub funded by the EU to facilitate collaboration among researchers, startups, companies, and public authorities.
AIoD serves as a central hub for European AI. Tanvir Singh Badwal of University College Cork, involved in AIoD’s development since 2022, describes it as a place to access resources, use and develop services. It originated in 2019 under the AI4EU project led by Thales in France and expanded by AI4EUROPE, a consortium of 24 institutions from 15 countries, led by Badwal and University College Cork, from 2022 to 2025. The DeployAI collaboration, funded by the Digital Europe Programme, is advancing the platform to the market, expanding its use to industry and the public sector.
The hub addresses Europe’s fragmented AI landscape, characterized by smaller players under different national rules. AIoD connects these entities without replacing initiatives like Gaia-X or the European Open Science Cloud, acting as an entry point for AI tools and collaboration. It aims to speed up innovation and transition solutions from research labs to real-world applications, aligning with the EU’s strategy to strengthen AI while upholding democratic values.
For example, a small agritech startup could use AIoD to find datasets and create predictive models using the AI Builder tool. They can run experiments in the Research and Innovation AI Lab (RAIL) with high-performance computing resources. Once developed, the startup can leverage AIoD’s community features to network and share solutions, helping farmers optimize irrigation and fertiliser use.
AIoD combines functions of a search engine, marketplace, and online lab. Users can access datasets, publications, educational materials, software components, pre-trained models, and advanced computing power linked to supercomputing centers like the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and LUMI in Finland. AIoD aggregates resources from other AI and open-source platforms, offering a broader range of resources with easier access for smaller labs and startups.
AIoD ensures sustainability of tools developed in EU projects, like the Responsible Robotics Compass (RoboCompass), a self-assessment tool for responsible robotics, developed in a previous EU project. This tool helps researchers align their robots with public expectations and concerns.
AIoD also fosters networking with mentoring sections, discussion forums, and directories of AI projects and facilities across Europe. Joana Martinheira of AI4EUROPE emphasizes how AIoD simplifies collaboration and synergy among ecosystem players.
By consolidating tools and isolated projects into a shared, accessible resource, AIoD aims to enhance collaboration and propel Europe’s edge in AI. DeployAI is scaling the platform to connect more closely with industry and public services, aiming to create a robust AI ecosystem for Europe, turning ideas into practical solutions for businesses, governments, and everyday life.
The research discussed was funded by the EU’s Horizon Programme. Interviewees’ views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Share this article on social media if you enjoyed it. Source link
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