Universities from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are to work together to boost AI research and education. The universities, TU Eindhoven, RWTH Aachen and KU Leuven, have established the ELA AI triangle. The collaboration will boost research and education across the three countries and, they claim, across Europe.
Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts, who signed the agreement on behalf of TU/e at the Aachen AI Week, said, “With the lightning-fast developments in the field of AI, it is very important to be able to work together as three top European players and learn from each other.
“This will not only benefit students, scientists, and companies, but it will also strengthen Europe’s position in the field of AI.”
Why Europe Needs Better AI Research
The last few years have seen an explosion of AI-driven solutions. There is no sign that this will slow down, creating challenges for businesses and society. Businesses already have significant skills shortages in many IT-related disciplines. By coming together, the three universities hope to increase the number of graduates with AI skills that can meet that demand.
Society has different challenges. It wants to know how AI can be beneficial and that the socioeconomic changes it will bring will not be a risk or threat to society.
It is to understand those impacts that the three universities are coming together to create the ELA AI triangle. The goal is to create joint research projects and bid, as a unit, for EU grants. They also plan to share knowledge, experiences and teaching materials between them.
It is unclear if they will create a joint degree to harmonise qualifications. There is also no announcement yet on the first projects that the universities will undertake.
Enterprise Times: What does this mean?
A collaboration between three of Europe’s university powerhouses must be watched carefully. It brings together some of the brightest minds and technical skills around. More importantly, as they collaborate to bid for research funds and grants, they are likely to succeed far more than if they were working alone.
Other European universities will watch what happens with interest and, likely, some trepidation. The concentration of research and education will make it hard for them to compete. It is also likely to attract increasing funding from the private sector. As that happens, it will create a positive loop for the three universities in attracting more researchers and students, attracting more money.
From a wider perspective, it is also likely to attract more private companies to set up offices and research facilities in the ELA AI triangle. Such a move will bring money and prosperity to the local areas and bring in more people from outside.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over time. Will other universities announce their own collaborations? How much new infrastructure will be required to support new jobs and companies moving into the ELA AI triangle?
