Brussels, 19 March 2019 - euRobotics, the European Robotics Association, and BDVA, the Big Data Value Association have released a common vision paper on the AI partnership they are jointly developing. This AI Public Private Partnership (AI PPP) is directed at boosting the industrial uptake of AI and ensuring Europe’s world-wide leadership in developing and deploying value-driven trustworthy AI based on European fundamental values. Both associations see the strong need for an ambitious and industry-driven strategy for AI adoption in Business and Society that aligns user value and industrial needs with research excellence in AI.

The European Commission Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence[1]calls for the development of an industry-led AI PPP triggered by the Big Data Value Association (BDVA) and the European Robotics Association (euRobotics) through the joint action of their respective cPPPs. At the ICT conference in Vienna in December 2018 euRobotics and BDVA signed a Memorandum of Understanding already stressing their ambition to jointly develop this partnership^[2].

The AI PPP will establish a European focal point to connect and coordinate AI, Data and Robotics innovation and research communities in the deployment of AI. The partnership will bring together all impacted stakeholders to develop sustainable AI value chains that are trustworthy and fair. The communities represented by BDVA and euRobotics are driving the adoption of AI technology and the partnership has direct access to the key players in their  respective areas. Combining the physical and data worlds will lead to improved decision-making and human interaction that can ultimately drive up European competitiveness.

The vision paper sets out the expected impact from the creation of a connected European AI ecosystem, from the alignment with EU member states and regions, and from the development of trust in AI benefiting both enterprises and citizens. It also outlines the concept of the "AI Value Chain" which provides a holistic perspective on AI that encompasses the range of challenges that surround AI driven solutions from business transformation and systems development to legal and ethical issues. Importantly, the partnership will work to ensure Europe has the skills required to work and live with AI technology and will help to mobilise public and private funding for European AI.

Both associations are committed to achieving the ambition expressed in the vision paper by building a strong, trusted and agile collaboration between industry, research and policy makers across Europe. BDVA and euRobotics are now committed to taking the next step to shape and develop an AI Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Europe, to set up an AI Partnership and to make this AI Public Private Partnership the focal point for industrial engagement in AI that can align needs with research excellence.

The full vision paper can be downloaded here and http://www.bdva.eu/downloads

About Robotics

euRobotics AISBL (Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif) is a Brussels based international non-profit association for all stakeholders in European robotics with about 250 members from Industry (robot manufacturers, service providers, and end users) and research. euRobotics is the Private side of the SPARC Public Private Partnership with the European Commission. It aims to strengthen competitiveness and provide industrial leadership  for manufacturers, providers and end users of robotics technology, systems and services;

It aims to promote the widest and best possible uptake of robotics technologies and services for professional and private use and promotes the excellence of European robotics.

Further information at https://old.eu-robotics.net and secretariat@eu-robotics.net

About BDVA

BDVA is an industry-driven international not–for-profit organisation with 200 members all over Europe and a well-balanced composition of large, small, and medium-sized industries as well as research and user organizations. BDVA is the private counterpart to the European Commission to implement the Big Data Value PPP program.  BDVA and the Big Data Value PPP pursue a common shared vision of positioning Europe as the world leader in the creation of Big Data Value. BDVA is also a private member of the recently created EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.

The mission of the BDVA is to develop the Innovation Ecosystem that will enable the data and AI-driven digital transformation in Europe delivering maximum economic and societal benefit, and, achieving and sustaining Europe’s leadership on Big Data Value creation and Artificial Intelligence. BDVA enables existing regional multi-partner cooperation, to collaborate at European level through the provision of tools and know-how to support the co-creation, development and experimentation of pan-European data-driven applications and services, and know-how exchange.

Further information at www.bdva.eu and info@core.bdva.eu