What is DIH?

Mission

The AI4GALICIA Digital Innovation Hub ‘s mission is to increase the competitiveness of the Galician production sector by promoting and intensifying the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by companies and other economic actors in the region.

Specific objectives

1. Integrate and encourage cooperation between the University of A Coruña, technology centres, business, industry and its associates, venture capital firms, state administration bodies and other relevant agents.
2. Offer high added-value services in the areas of R&D, innovation management and technology transfer.
3. Train students, professionals and companies in Artificial Intelligence techniques and solutions.
4. Actively identify the challenges facing industry, the public sector and society.
5. Encourage cooperation between DIH nationally and internationally by promoting joint actions and projects, providing services and exchanging knowledge and good practice.

AI4GALICIA has been created as part of the European Commission’s Digitising European Industry (DEI) initiative, aimed at promoting the digitisation of industry and related services across all sectors.

One of the core purposes of this initiative is to create Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) across all European regions where companies (especially SMEs and start-ups) can find the infrastructures, expertise and advice they need to incorporate digital innovations into their production processes.

DIHs are also part of the European Approach to Artificial Intelligence, launched by the European Commission in April 2018.

This common European approach highlights the importance of Artificial Intelligence as a key driver of competitiveness across all sectors of the economy, alongside other Key Enabling Technologies (KET) such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and photonics, and the need for all countries to put in place mechanisms of this kind at a regional and national level to support knowledge transfer and business digitisation.

In line with the European Approach to Artificial Intelligence and as part of Spain’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (EECTI) 2021-2028, the recently published Spanish R&D&I Strategy for Artificial Intelligence sets out the national priorities for AI in Spain.

AI4GALICIA operates within the framework of the Connected Industry 4.0 programme created by the Spanish government. The main tools and services offered by the programme include digital enablers and implementation support for companies, knowledge sharing, and the development of digital technology skills for industry.

AI4GALICIA is also part of the Smart Specialisation Strategy for Galicia (RIS3). Its contribution is centred around the three priorities contained in Challenge 2 of the strategy document: to support the diversification of economic driver sectors in Galicia; to strengthen the competitiveness of the Galician industrial sector; and to promote ICT in Galicia as a key enabling technology.