AI Flanders

This part of the AI Policy Agenda enforces the top strategic research on AI in Flanders. It joints research groups of the Flemish universities and research centers among whom the four strategic research centra. The companies, government institutions and (nonprofit) organizations are the users in Flanders. Synergies with them and thorough knowledge and technology diffusion towards them take a central position. 

In the AI Research Program, we research and develop generic AI methodologies, applicable for countless applications in healthcare, industry and government. The program addresses major AI research challenges, based on the needs in these applications. The results of the research are illustrated with conceptual demonstrators. 

The purpose of these demonstrators is twofold:

• Inspire users and researchers and
• Steer research towards longer term needs 

The Flemish research institutions and universities annually receive 12 million euro for AI research in this program. With their state-of-the-art research and leading demonstrators, they belong to the world top in AI.

A very important objective of the policy plan is that companies and other actors make the widest possible use of artificial intelligence. To support AI adoption by companies, the policy plan provides 15 million euro annually for the implementation part led by the Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).

VLAIO and the partners from the VLAIO Network aim to raise awareness, inform and advise companies about the possibilities of artificial intelligence in as many applications as possible. In addition, they also support companies during their first experiences with this new technology. 

For these companies, for companies that evolved already further in their AI trajectory and for technology providers VLAIO deploys its existing subsidy instruments such as SME growth subsidies, research and development projects and Baekeland mandates.  

Be informed and inspired about these implementations at Digitale toekomst (in Dutch). 

The way we learn and work is increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. It is therefore key, in addition to specialized AI training, to set up trainings and initiatives that inject a basic knowledge of AI into the broad base of the population. 

Also, in addition to the many opportunities, there are risks associated with AI. To tackle these challenges, the policy plan provides an annual amount of 5 million euro for awareness-raising, training and a legal and ethical framework on artificial intelligence. 

Within the accompanying policy, there are two important initiatives supported by the AI ​​policy agenda: 

• The Knowledge Centre Data & Society provides policy makers, companies and the general public with applicable guidelines and advice on legal, ethical and social aspects of artificial intelligence and data applications.
• The Flemish AI Academy contains an umbrella AI PhD school and a continuous training program on AI, supported by the Flemish higher education institutions.