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The EU has launched a major investment for a total of DKK 1.65 billion to accelerate the development of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe.

The TEFs offer primarily technical support to innovators to test their latest AI-based software and hardware technologies at scale in real-world environments (Technology Readiness Levels 6-8). This includes support for full integration, testing and experimentation of the latest mature AI-based technologies (already tested in the lab) to solve issues and improve solutions in a given application sector, including through validation and demonstration.

There are four domain-specific TEFs focused on Agrifood, Health, Manufacturing, and Smart Cities and Communities. This last one is the CitCom.ai TEF.

The agrifoodTEF deals with the agricultural sector and food production. This could be everything from testing a robotic tractor to AI in crop rotation software.

The TEF-Health deals with the healthcare sector, from next generation artificial hearts to the use of machine learning in medical imaging and diagnostics for example.

The AI-Matters TEF will test technology within manufacturing, from robots in plastic moulding to drones in industrial warehouses.

The CitCom.aiTEF is a bit different. With an initial focus on power, mobility and connectivity, it’s job is to test AI and robotics before they get into places where humans live and move around. This could be self driving cars but it could also be telecommunications data retrieval software. Or the robotic tractor being used in a municipal park. CitCom.ai works as a sort of cross-domain filter between technologies, infrastructures and citizens where they live.

CitCom.ai is TEF led by a consortium (DTU - Technical University of Denmark, We Build Denmark, and Danish Industry (DI). CitCom.ai brings together the strongest parties in the field within the EU and covers 11 EU countries from the start.

In addition to the four TEFs above, there is also a fifth TEF focusing on the design of future hardware and chips for AI, The PREVAIL TEF, which started in March 2024. It takes its requirements from the domain-specific TEFs. 

(See the ecosystem in CitCom.ai in the graphic.) 

In the realm of AI innovation, companies, and agencies - referred to as AI Innovators - create physical or virtual products based on artificial intelligence. These products cater to diverse customers, including the public sector, utility companies, insurance providers, financial institutions, and B2B enterprises.

CitCom.ai, a pivotal player in this ecosystem, offers crucial support to these innovators. Its mission is twofold:

Testing and Validation: Before AI products reach end-users, CitCom.ai facilitates testing of both software and hardware in real-world environments. This ensures that the products perform optimally and meet safety standards.

Policy and Regulation Input: CitCom.ai actively contributes to shaping AI-related policies at various levels — EU, national, regional, sector-specific, local, and certification standards. By providing valuable insights, it helps create a conducive regulatory environment for AI adoption.

Additionally, we have another key stakeholder: Investors. These stakeholders, whether private, institutional, or public, play a vital role in supporting AI Innovators. Their interest lies in ensuring that AI products are not only safe but also economically viable.

In summary, CitCom.ai bridges the gap between cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure, and citizens. By focusing on smart cities and communities, it accelerates the development of trustworthy AI solutions, contributing to a greener and more digital Europe.

CitCom.ai is one of five AI TEFs - Test and Experimentation Facilities.

Learn more: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/testing-and-experimentation-facilities