𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱!

What an exciting day at the heart of Europe! The very first AIRE Club Brussels brought together leading minds in digital policy, research, and industry to explore how Europe can take the lead in AI. Not just with regulation, but with innovation, talent and strategic ambition.

We kicked off with opening remarks by Tiit Land (TalTech), Kirke MAAR (AIRE) and H.E Helen Kaljuläte (Ambassador of Estonia to Belgium and Luxembourg) setting a clear vision for integrating AI across education, research, and innovation. We were honored to hear from Dr. Lucilla Sioli (DG CONNECT) and Signe Ratso (DG RTD), who shared Europe’s vision for a thriving AI ecosystem from infrastructure and SME readiness to global competitiveness and responsible innovation.

Two dynamic panels, led by Prof. Gert Jervan and Innar Liiv (TalTech), sparked rich discussions with Dr. Willem Jonker (AIC4NL), Dr. Sigrid Rajalo (Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs), Dr. ir. Thibauld Jongen (ADR Association), Julien Chasserieau (DIGITALEUROPE), Federico Menna (EIT Digital), Ursel Velve (EIS), Lise-Ann Sheahan (Irish Manufacturing Research), and Dr Florian Vogt (Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC)).

💡 Topics ranged from AI for competitiveness, green transitions and tech sovereignty to entrepreneurial talent and bridging the research-to-market gap.

🚀 In our “Innovation in Action” flash session, we saw impressive presentations from Raul Rikk (Milrem Robotics), Karl Pärtel (RAIKU Packaging), Heigo Mõlder (MindChip), and Carlo Lustrissimi (5.0 Robotics). Proof that Estonia’s AI scene is fast-moving and high-impact.

The day ended with a networking reception filled with great conversations, new connections and hopefully the seeds of future collaborations across Europe. 🌐✨

Warm thanks to our amazing organizing team: Elena Kirt, Eliisa Metsoja, Lauri Kummel, Katre Eljas, Anne Muldme, Riina Rohumäe, Reet Pärgmäe, Evelin Ebruk, Tõnis Segerkrantz and Carmen Kivistik, Kristel Oitmaa from ETAG – Estonian Research Council Brussels Office who made it all possible.

📸Photo gallery available here

Photos by Lucas Boitquin