Since 2018, CAIRNE has worked to strengthen Europe’s AI ecosystem by building a pan-European community, coordinating research collaboration, shaping strategic debate, connecting different parts of the ecosystem and promoting a distinctly European approach to AI.

Building a pan-European AI community

CAIRNE has built a major pan-European community for AI research and innovation, bringing together more than 500 members across its Research and Innovation Networks. Its Research Network represents more than 27,000 employees across 41 countries, supported by nine offices across Europe. This community connects organisations and experts across national, institutional and disciplinary boundaries.

Coordinating collaboration across European AI research

Through the CAIRNE-led VISION project, CAIRNE coordinated collaboration among the first four European Networks of Excellence in AI. This included joint community workshops and cross-network Theme Development Workshops designed to identify shared research priorities, connect complementary expertise and establish longer-term collaborations.

Driving the European push for a “CERN for AI”

Since its founding in 2018, CAIRNE has championed the creation of an ambitious, publicly funded European AI research organisation inspired by CERN: combining a strong central hub, distributed excellence and shared access to world-class infrastructure.

CAIRNE has sustained and developed this vision through major statements, policy proposals, events and open letters, helping bring the need for European AI sovereignty and infrastructure into mainstream political and media debate. The development of this campaign—from the original 2018 European Vision for AI to the 2025 open letter Now is the time to create a CERN for AI—is documented on CAIRNE’s dedicated CERN for AI page.

The proposal and the wider need for publicly funded European AI infrastructure have been discussed in outlets including Science|Business, which also reported on EU science advisers backing calls for a CERN for AI, as well as Politico and Al Jazeera.

Bringing European AI excellence into the international spotlight

CAIRNE has used its network, communication channels and relationships with journalists to bring European AI research, achievements and strategic priorities to wider audiences. Its launch and rapid growth attracted coverage from NOS, The Economist and the South China Morning Post.

Further examples include Nature’s coverage of Europe’s proposed €1-billion research initiatives and international coverage of CLAIRE, now CAIRNE, and ELLIS receiving the 2021 German AI Prize. This visibility has helped present European AI as a source of scientific excellence, collaboration, distinct values and credible global ambition.

Promoting trustworthy, human-centred and sovereign approaches to AI

From its original European Vision for AI to its 2023 statement AI made in Europe: boost it or lose it, CAIRNE has consistently advocated for AI that reflects European values, serves society and strengthens Europe’s technological sovereignty.

These principles have been promoted through CAIRNE’s statements, events and engagement with the wider European AI community, and have reached broader audiences through coverage such as How Europe can show leadership for AI in science in Science|Business.

Contributing to European policy and strategic discussions on AI

CAIRNE has brought the perspectives of Europe’s AI research community into strategic debates through recommendations, position papers, consultations and direct engagement with policymakers. Examples include its response to the European Commission’s White Paper on AI, its feedback on the proposed EU AI regulation and the 2021 Coordinated Plan on AI, and its recommendations for a European AI public-private partnership.

CAIRNE also helped establish the AI, Data and Robotics Association, the private side of the European AI, Data and Robotics Partnership in Horizon Europe, together with BDVA, ELLIS, EurAI and euRobotics.

Connecting research, industry, startups and decision-makers

CAIRNE has created practical structures and partnerships that connect different parts of Europe’s AI ecosystem. Its Innovation Network brings scientists and research groups together with industry, innovation-driven enterprises and startups, offering networking, matchmaking, consultation and project-development opportunities.

Its collaboration with euRobotics connects the European AI and robotics communities through shared workshops, strategic alignment, knowledge exchange and joint outreach. Events such as Europe’s Moonshot Ambitions for AI have also brought together senior representatives from academia, industry, European institutions, government and policy to discuss Europe’s AI priorities and develop shared approaches.

Supporting European projects and community-building

CAIRNE participates in selected European projects and collaborations, contributing its network, expertise and communication capacity to stakeholder engagement, dissemination, knowledge exchange and cooperation between related initiatives. Through these activities, CAIRNE helps projects connect with the wider European AI ecosystem and extend their reach beyond their individual consortia.