Confederation of Laboratories for
Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe

Excellence across all of AI.
For all of Europe.
With a Human-Centred Focus.

Formerly known as CLAIRE, find out more about us, how we started and what we do.

We were recently made aware that the acronym CLAIRE was trademarked and, after 5 years of using it undisputedly, we faced a legal challenge. Based on advice from our lawyers, we have decided to change the acronym to CAIRNE (pronounced “kern”).  Our official full legal name – Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe AISBL – remains unchanged, as does our core mission and support to members.

The Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe is an international non-profit association (AISBL) created by the European AI community that seeks to strengthen European excellence in AI research and innovation, with a strong focus on human-centred AI.

The Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe does not provide AI services or products, but rather represents the interests of its members by promoting European AI through media channels and events, fostering cross-border collaborations, and participating in EU Horizon calls to facilitate community building.

“Now is the time to create a CERN for AI”

CAIRNE urges the EU to establish a large-scale AI research hub, a “CERN for AI,” to ensure Europe’s technological sovereignty, economic competitiveness, and alignment with European values. Without bold investment and coordination, Europe risks dependence on foreign AI technologies, losing strategic, cultural, and economic autonomy in the rapidly advancing AI landscape.

“Moonshot” for European AI Sovereignty

In a decisive move to reclaim technological leadership and ensure European strategic sovereignty, the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe and euRobotics have announced an ambitious plan to establish Europe as a powerhouse in trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030, to overcome the current technological dependency on non-European big tech firms.

“AI made in Europe”–boost it or lose it

Marking our 5th anniversary, we released a statement reflecting on the impact of  Europe’s dependence on AI made elsewhere, how investment into the European AI ecosystem has failed to achieve global competitiveness of “AI made in Europe”, and advocates for massive computational infrastructure, a “CERN for AI”.

A European Vision for AI

What?

The Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence in Europe – CAIRNE (formerly CLAIRE) is dedicated to strengthening European excellence in AI by creating a vibrant and collaborative AI ecosystem that prioritizes human-centered, trustworthy, and responsible AI. Our mission is to ensure that AI research and innovation in Europe align with ethical principles, sustainability, and societal well-being.

To achieve this, CAIRNE fosters collaboration between research institutions, industry, and policymakers to build an AI ecosystem that empowers European talent, reduces dependence on non-European technology, and drives innovation for the benefit of all.

Why?

AI is shaping the future of society, industry, and global economies. However, Europe’s current technological landscape is highly dependent on AI solutions developed outside the region. This dependence risks economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and European values in AI development.

To secure Europe’s leadership in AI, it is critical to invest in research, computational infrastructure, and policy frameworks that prioritize transparency, fairness, and security. European AI should serve the public good, ensuring that AI technologies benefit citizens, businesses, and institutions alike.

How?

To build a globally competitive and self-sufficient AI ecosystem, Europe must strengthen its research network, invest in infrastructure, and establish sustainable policies that drive AI excellence. CAIRNE is committed to advancing AI through a coordinated effort uniting researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to keep Europe at the forefront of innovation.

Achieving this vision requires long-term investments and strategic initiatives across the entire AI lifecycle—from research and development to deployment and governance. This includes establishing a large-scale European AI research hub, expanding computational resources, setting ambitious moonshot goals, and fostering collaboration between governments, industries, and academia. These efforts will lay the foundation for a robust, ethical, and globally competitive AI ecosystem aligned with European values.

The Network

We seek to support and strengthen European excellence in AI research and innovation.

The network forms a pan-European Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe. It’s over 500 member groups and organisations in the Research Network and Innovation Network, as well as over 260 Ph.D. students, postdocs, and master students in the self-organised, Rising Research Network are committed to working together towards realising the vision of European excellence across all of AI, for all of Europe, with a human-centred focus.

Innovation Network

If you are a for-profit organisation conducting research in AI or AI-based innovation and would like to join our Innovation Network, please consider joining the community by signing your support and contact us at industry@cairne.eu.

Research Network

Is your lab, research group or institution part of a not-for profit organisation that conducts and regularly publishes research in AI as well as maintains a dedicated individual website? We invite you to join by first signing your support, and then contacting us at network@cairne.eu to request the application form.

Rising Researchers

If your a Post-doc, PhD, or Masters student in AI, join the community by signing your support and join other Rising Researchers in shaping the future of AI in Europe by applying for membership at r2network@cairne.eu.

Gold Members