Make AI your ally with the Luxembourg AI Factory

Step by step, artificial intelligence is transforming every sector of activity. Productivity gains, improved decision-making and production processes, better energy and resource management, and more refined control mechanisms are just some of the benefits. This list is far from exhaustive and must, of course, be balanced with ethical and societal considerations.

The latest Economic Barometer for the second half of 2024, published by the Chamber of Commerce, shows that 48% of companies consider AI to be the technology that will have the greatest impact on their business model in the medium term. 63% plan to invest actively in AI.

Depending on the level of adoption of existing AI tools, a recent French study conducted among 1,200 craft business leaders estimated time savings of between 1.7 and 4.3 hours per week, representing productivity gains of 4% to 9%.

What is the Luxembourg AI Factory?

It is against this backdrop that the Luxembourg AI Factory was established. This national entity forms part of an international initiative led by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, piloting a network of supercomputers and AI hubs across Europe.

The ambition of this initiative is to create a robust and interconnected network of artificial intelligence hubs.

The Luxembourg AI Factory supports organisations at every stage of their AI journey, from initial exploration through to large-scale deployment." 
Patrycja Garscia, Business Relationship Advisor - Data & AI, Luxembourg AI Factory

The objective is clear: to demonstrate that AI can create value for everyone. This may include a craftsperson seeking to automate part of their administrative workload in order to focus on their core expertise; a logistics company aiming to optimise routes to reduce costs and carbon emissions; a service provider wishing to enhance customer experience through an intelligent virtual assistant; or a startup developing an innovative AI-based product.

Startups, SMEs and researchers benefit from comprehensive support, including access to AI-optimised high-performance computing (HPC) resources via the MeluXina supercomputer, as well as training programmes and technical expertise.

A coordinated ecosystem

Four priority areas have been identified: space, the green economy, cybersecurity and finance, but companies active in other fields are obviously welcome.

Supported by a consortium of leading organisations -  LuxProvide, Luxinnovation, the Luxembourg National Data Service, the University of Luxembourg and LIST - and reinforced by a broad network of public and private stakeholders, the Luxembourg AI Factory brings together expertise, infrastructure and funding opportunities within a coordinated ecosystem. This is delivered through a comprehensive and structured catalogue of services.

By combining infrastructure, expertise, funding and training within a single one-stop-shop model, traditional barriers are removed - particularly the fragmentation of initiatives - enabling organisations to embark on AI-driven developments with confidence.

A catalogue of services built around six pillars

This catalogue of services is divided into six distinct pillars:

• Assess and accelerate: AI maturity assessment, clarification of objectives and definition of an action plan
• Upskill and train: Between 140 and 200 training courses per year, ranging from awareness-raising to operational and highly specialised training
• Connect: Access to technical experts, sector specialists, academic partners and European initiatives
• Fund: Guidance towards national funding schemes for research, development and innovation, as well as major European programmes accelerating AI innovation and digital transformation, such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe
• Build and test: support for the development and validation of AI solutions, including sandbox environments that allow companies to safely move from concept to real-world solutions before scaling
• Scale and run: Support throughout the transition to production

The Luxembourg AI Factory is designed for organisations of all types that wish to adopt artificial intelligence through a simplified, secure and reliable approach. Its services are tailored to companies of all sizes and levels of maturity, from companies exploring AI for the first time to large enterprises developing advanced solutions.

SMEs may benefit from up to 50% co-financing through the Fit 4 AI programmes, while startups can have access to non-dilutive funding and dedicated acceleration support.

The Luxembourg AI Factory is much more than an infrastructure or a service provider. It is a catalyst for innovation that positions Luxembourg as a European leader in trusted AI.

The Luxembourg AI Factory allows companies and researchers to exploit the transformative potential of artificial intelligence with complete peace of mind, thanks to comprehensive and secure support." 
Andres Jimenez Gomez, Business Relationship Advisor - Data & AI, Luxembourg AI Factory

To discover the complete catalogue of services, carry out an AI maturity diagnosis or identify available funding, visit the Luxembourg AI Factory website or contact Luxinnovation.

Photo and editing: Paperjam

This article was originally published by Paperjam.