Overview

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer significant potential to accelerate the practical use of scientific research, enabling the creation of new innovations, services, and solutions that meet societal demands. While Europe remains at the forefront of global scientific output, it continues to face challenges in translating this knowledge into tangible innovation—a situation often referred to as the “innovation paradox.”

By strategically applying AI, research and innovation (R&I) stakeholders can more effectively align their outputs with societal and market needs, bridge the gap between research and real-world application, and support evidence-based policymaking. AI’s role is expanding—from identifying promising results and exploring legal feasibility, to drafting patents and connecting with potential investors.

One major barrier to successful knowledge valorisation in Europe is a general lack of awareness or tools among researchers and innovators to identify how their findings can be commercialized or socially applied.

This initiative aims to overcome that hurdle by introducing an AI-driven toolkit designed to guide R&I actors through the entire process of bringing their research to market or societal use.

The toolkit will be developed in alignment with EU ethical and policy standards, integrating insights from the social sciences and humanities. It will help users uncover valorisation pathways, assess regulatory contexts, access funding mechanisms, evaluate market conditions, and identify potential partnerships and consumer behavior trends. Additionally, the platform will support better use and management of intellectual property assets.

Key Themes

The initiative falls within the broader context of advancing digital and industrial technologies through human-centric innovation. It emphasizes trustworthy, inclusive tools that enhance human performance—physically or cognitively—through technologies such as collaborative AI, virtual/extended reality, digital twins, and exoskeletons.

The work is organized around the following thematic pillars:

• Virtual Environments: Strengthening European leadership in immersive technologies (like XR), while safeguarding ethical standards, privacy, and social inclusion.

• AI/GenAI, Data, and Robotics: The GenAI4EU HUB fosters cross-sectoral collaboration, building a robust ecosystem to support Europe’s strategic development in generative AI.

• Standardisation & Knowledge Utilization: Emphasizing the importance of standardization and effective deployment of research results for environmental, social, and economic benefit.

• Global Partnerships: Supporting digital diplomacy efforts aligned with EU international policy goals, promoting a human-first approach to digital transformation.

Expected Outcomes

Funded proposals are expected to deliver:

• Rapid conversion of research results into commercial, societal, or policy-oriented applications, facilitated by AI.

• Practical solutions to the innovation gap in Europe, with a focus on helping R&I stakeholders implement valorisation strategies.

• Implementation of AI-supported business strategies, partnership models, and market uptake roadmaps in no fewer than 100 case studies addressing real societal challenges.