Introduction:

Boost AI is a transnational Interreg North-West Europe project that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs in adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a safe and practical way. The project focuses on small SMEs located in rural “hinterland” regions across North-West Europe, where AI adoption is currently limited. Through tools, training and policy development, Boost AI helps companies build AI capacity and reduces regional digital disparities.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES & FOCUS AREAS

• Strengthening AI capacity and resilience of small SMEs
• Reducing regional and digital AI disparities in North-West Europe
• Supporting SMEs in safe, compliant and responsible AI adoption (EU AI Act)
• Co-developing and implementing a shared AI Toolkit with practical tools
• Training SMEs, Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and Local Authorities (LAs)
• Strengthening regional and transnational AI strategies and action plans

PROJECT DURATION

• 2025 – 2028 (36 months)

FUNDING

Boost AI is funded through the Interreg North-West Europe 2021–2027 programme. Total project budget: €5,806,364.55, of which €3,483,818.68 ERDF (60%).

PARTNERS

• TCNN Innovation Support – Lead Partner (NL)
• Jheronimus Academy for Data Science (JADS) – Netherlands
• MKB Cyber Campus – Netherlands
• Province of Drenthe – Netherlands
• RDI Hub – Ireland
• Normandy Region – France
• Technopole Orléans – France
• Luxinnovation GIE – Luxembourg
• IT-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH Emsland – Germany
• Science and Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (SIAK) – Germany
• University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) – Germany
• VIVES University of Applied Sciences – Belgium

INNOVATION OR IMPACT

• Development of one joint AI Toolkit with four toolsets (self-assessment, AI literacy, AI risks, competitiveness
• Four pilot actions implemented across participating regions
• 120 small SMEs (3–20 employees, < €15 million turnover) directly supported
• 232 participants trained through joint AI training programmes
• Development of one transnational strategy and one regional action plan for AI adoption
• Focus on three sectors: agrifood, hospitality and small-scale manufacturing