AIRE Club Brussels

3 June 2025
13:30 – 17:00 Panel discussions | 17:00 – 19:00 Networking Reception
Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU (Rue Guimard 11/13, 1040, Brussels, Belgium)

This high-level event brings together EU policymakers, academic leaders, innovators, and top EDIHs across sectors to explore innovation, showcase AIRE EDIH achievements, and outline a forward-looking vision for AI in Europe.

Focus Topics:

• The Role and Vision of Europe in the Global AI Landscape
• AI Innovation Ecosystems, Including the Impact of EDIHs on supporting SMEs
• Cultivating AI Talent and Advancing AI Education
• Strengthening Europe’s AI Innovation Ecosystems and Talent Pipeline

Preliminary Agenda

13:30 – 14:00 Doors Open & Welcome Coffee

Take time to network and settle in.

14:00 – 14:30 Opening Remarks & Keynotes

• Prof. Tiit Land, Rector, TalTech, Tallinn University of Technology (tbc)
• H.E. Helen Kaljuläte, Ambassador of Estonia to Belgium and Luxembourg (tbc)
• Dr Lucilla Sioli, Director for AI and Digital Industry, DG CONNECT, European Commission (tbc)
• Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General, DG RTD, European Commission (tbc)

14:30 – 15:15 Panel Discussion: Shaping the EU’s Next Steps in AI Innovation
Panelists:

• Maive Rute, Deputy Director-General, DG GROW, European Commission (tbc)
• Mikael Ljungblom, Director of Public Policy & International Relations, AI Sweden (tbc)
• Dr Willem Jonker, Chairman of the Board, AIC4NL (tbc)
• Sandra Särav-Tammus, Deputy Secretary General, Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (tbc)
• Prof. Gert Jervan, Dean of School of IT, TalTech, Tallinn University of Technology (tbc)

15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:15 Flash Presentations: Innovation in Action

• Raul Rikk, Capability Development Director, Milrem Robotics (tbc)
• Karl J. Pärtel, Co-Founder, Raiku Packaging (tbc)
• Dr Heigo Mõlder, CEO & Founder, Mindchip (tbc)

16:15 – 16:45 Panel Discussion: From Discovery to Impact – Scaling Academic Knowledge for Industrial Success
Panelists:

• Kirke Maar, Head of Centre, AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE)
• Ursel Velve, Chairman of the Board, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS) (tbc)
• Lise-Ann Sheahan, Senior Program Manager, Irish Manufacturing Research, FactoryXChange (tbc)
• Dr Florian Vogt, Director of Innovation, ARIC Hamburg (tbc)

16:45 – 17:00 Closing Remarks

17:00 – 19:00 Networking Reception
Network with fellow participants while enjoying dinner and drinks.

In case of additional questions, you will be assisted by elena.kirt@aire-edih.eu