Artificial intelligence in the EU: projects transforming our society

The European Union is at the forefront of the development of safe, ethical and people-centred artificial intelligence (AI). Through a , based on human rights and fundamental values, the EU is building an AI ecosystem that simultaneously benefits citizens, businesses and public administrations.  As part of its commitment to the proper development of this technology, the European Commission has proposed a set of actions to promote its excellence.

In this regard, a pioneering piece of legislation that establishes a comprehensive legal framework stands out: the AI Act.  It classifies artificial intelligence models according to their level of risk and establishes specific obligations for providers regarding data and data governance. In parallel, the Coordinated Plan on AI updated in 2021 sets out a roadmap to boost investment, harmonise policies and encourage the uptake of AI across the EU.

 Spain is aligned with Europe in this area and therefore has a strategy to accelerate its development and expansion.. In addition, the transposition of the AI law has recently been approved, with the preliminary draft law for an ethical, inclusive and beneficial use of artificial intelligence.

European projects transforming key sectors

In this context, the EU is funding numerous projects that use artificial intelligence technologies to solve challenges in various fields. Below, we highlight some of the most innovative ones, some of which have already been completed and some of which are underway:

Agriculture and food sustainability

Projects currently underway:

• ANTARES: develops smart sensor technologies and big data to help farmers produce more food in a sustainable way, benefiting society, farm incomes and the environment.

Examples of other completed projects:

• Pantheon: developed a control and data acquisition system, equivalent to industrial SCADA, for precision farming in large hazelnut orchards, increasing production, reducing chemical inputs and simplifying management.

• Trimbot2020: researched robotics and vision technologies to create the first outdoor gardening robot, capable of navigating varied terrain and trimming rose bushes, hedges and topiary.

Industry and manufacturing

Projects currently underway:

• SERENA: applies AI techniques to predict maintenance needs of industrial equipment, reducing costs and time, and improving the productivity of production processes..

• SecondHands: has developed a robot capable of proactively assisting maintenance technicians by recognising human activity and anticipating their needs, increasing efficiency and productivity in industrial environments.

Examples of other completed projects:

• QU4LITY: combined data and AI to increase manufacturing sustainability, providing a data-shared, SME-friendly, standardised and transformative zero-defect manufacturing model.

• KYKLOS 4.0: explored how cyber-physical systems, product lifecycle management, augmented reality and AI can transform circular manufacturing through seven large-scale pilot projects.

Transport and mobility

Projects currently underway

• VI-DAS: A project by a Spanish company working on advanced driver assistance systems and navigation aids, combining traffic understanding with consideration of the driver's physical, mental and behavioural state to improve road safety.

• PILOTING: adapts, integrates and demonstrates robotic solutions in an integrated platform for the inspection and maintenance of refineries, bridges and tunnels.. One of its focuses is on boosting production and access to inspection data.

Examples of other completed projects:

• FABULOS: has developed and tested a local public transport system using autonomous minibuses, demonstrating its viability and promoting the introduction of robotic technologies in public infrastructure.

Social impact research

Projects currently underway:

• HUMAINT: provides a multidisciplinary understanding of the current state and future evolution of machine intelligence and its potential impact on human behaviour, focusing on cognitive and socio-emotional capabilities.

• AI Watch: monitors industrial, technological and research capacity, policy initiatives in Member States, AI adoption and technical developments, and their impact on the economy, society and public services.

Examples of other completed projects:

• TECHNEQUALITY: examined the potential social consequences of the digital age, looking at how AI and robots affect work and how automation may impact various social groups differently.

Health and well-being

Projects currently underway:

• DeepHealth: develops advanced tools for medical image processing and predictive modelling, facilitating the daily work of healthcare personnel without the need to combine multiple tools..

• BigO: collects and analyses anonymised data on child behaviour patterns and their environment to extract evidence on local factors involved in childhood obesity.

Examples of other completed projects:

• PRIMAGE: has created a cloud-based platform to support decision making for malignant solid tumours, offering predictive tools for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring, using imaging biomarkers and simulation of tumour growth..

• SelfBACK: provided personalised support to patients with low back pain through a mobile app, using sensor-collected data to tailor recommendations to each user.

• EYE-RISK: developed tools that predict the likelihood of developing age-related eye diseases and measures to reduce this risk, including a diagnostic panel to assess genetic predisposition.

• Solve-RD: improved diagnosis of rare diseases by pooling patient data and advanced genetic methods.

The future of AI in Europe

These examples, both past and present, are very interesting use cases of the development of artificial intelligence in Europe. However, the EU's commitment to AI is also forward-looking. And it is reflected in an ambitious investment plan: the Commission plans to invest EUR 1 billion per year in AI, from the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes, with the aim of attracting more than EUR 20 billion of total AI investment per year during this decade..

The development of an ethical, transparent and people-centred IA is already an EU objective that goes beyond the legal framework. With a hands-on approach, the European Union funds projects that not only drive technological innovation, but also address key societal challenges, from health to climate change, building a more sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future for all European citizens.