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Initially, the network is made up of more than 300 researchers, who are part of 28 research groups from 16 Catalan institutions in the field of AI
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The RDI-IA Network is coordinated by the Computer Vision Center and funded by the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat de Catalunya
The members of the Xarxa RDI-IA have held the kick-off session of the initiative, the first official meeting of the network that brings together 28 research groups from 16 Catalan institutions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The Xarxa RDI-IA’s mission is to provide the Catalan AI ecosystem with mechanisms for technology transfer and the valorization of knowledge generated in universities, research centers, and technology centers, following open innovation paradigms where different system agents participate and generating co-innovation dynamics with companies. Through the mechanisms of the Xarxa RDI-IA, it aims to generate greater economic and social returns for the Catalan industrial fabric, increasing the number of technology-based companies and increasing the generation of highly qualified jobs. Furthermore, the Xarxa also aims to consolidate the Catalan AI ecosystem, with the vision of positioning it as a research and innovation hub in southern Europe, fostering interaction between scientific actors and forging links with the business sector, generating socio-economic impact. The Xarxa RDI-IA has an international focus, connecting the Catalan AI ecosystem with the main structures that form the current system of excellence in European AI research and innovation. This creates a highly competitive environment ideal for attracting talent, establishing innovation hubs for technology companies, and creating start-ups.
This new network currently comprises more than 300 researchers from 28 research groups across 16 different institutions. To date, they have collaborated with more than 150 companies, hold over 50 intellectual property registrations, and have created a total of 24 spin-offs. The Xarxa RDI-IA is coordinated by the Computer Vision Center and funded by the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat de Catalunya, through the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR).
The Catalan Artificial Intelligence ecosystem
Catalonia has a solid R&D&I system that has contributed decisively to the creation of a science and technology-based AI ecosystem. In recent years, this Catalan ecosystem has positioned itself as one of the most productive and prominent in Europe, both in knowledge generation and economic impact. Notably, research produced in the Catalan AI ecosystem includes more than 34 projects certified with the European ELLIS research excellence seal. Additionally, the Catalan ecosystem is the 3rd European region in the ranking of participation in AI R&D projects in the new Horizon Europe framework.
As for the business sector, in Catalonia there are more than 180 companies specializing in AI, which invoice around 1,350 million euros annually and which employ 8,500 professionals.
In 2019, the Generalitat de Catalunya, committed to making the region more competitive and transforming this growing ecosystem into a leading AI research and innovation center in Europe, launched the Catalan Artificial Intelligence Strategy (Catalonia.ai), with participation from some RDI-IA Network entities in its definition. The Xarxa RDI-IA is aligned with and complements the other elements of the Catalan AI ecosystem, both in research, through close collaboration with the Catalan AI Association (ACIA), and with key agents supporting the digitalization of the Catalan business fabric, such as the AI node of the Digital Innovation Hub of Catalonia (DHI4CAT). This aims to drive technological transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises (with a special focus on industrial sectors and technology providers), tech startups, and public entities.
