Call for contributions for AI Factory application

As part of Portugal and Spain's joint bid to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factory, FCT has launched a call for contributions. Available via a simplified form open to all potential stakeholders, it aims to gather opinions and priorities for the development of the application. The deadline for initial submissions is October 21, 2024, but the invitation will remain open after that date. Participation is voluntary and non-binding. 

Portugal, through the FCT and its digital services unit FCCN, is preparing this application, in consortium with Spain, for the installation of an AI Factory. This initiative follows the package of measures launched by the European Union in January 2024 to support startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the development of reliable AI, in accordance with EU values and standards, including the AI Act. 

AI Factories are innovative ecosystems that bring together key resources such as computing power, data, and experts to create advanced Artificial Intelligence models. These ecosystems are supported by supercomputers optimized for AI and aim to accelerate the development of technological solutions in Europe.  

The implementation of these factories is the responsibility of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC), which launched a Call on September 10, 2024, for the selection of countries or consortia to host these innovation centers. 

More information on AI Factories is available at European Commission's Digital Strategy and on the EuroHPCwebsite. 

For further clarification, please contact the FCT Advanced Computing Digital Service by email: rnca@fccn.pt.