Demonstration Projects Identify High-Impact AI Solutions

AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) has opened its autumn call for demonstration project ideas. The programme enables Estonian companies to test and validate artificial intelligence and robotics technologies before making investment decisions.

According to Katre Eljas, Head of AIRE, the centre aims to encourage companies to make greater use of AI-powered digital and robotics solutions through demonstration projects.

“Estonia is lagging behind in the adoption of AI and robotics solutions. We are not talking about language models, but about using AI in business processes and in new products and services. Demonstration projects give companies an opportunity to test solutions that support business development and gain confidence before making a larger investment. We can already say that adopting AI and robotics solutions increases companies’ productivity and profitability, strengthening their competitiveness. Innovative AI and robotics solutions are tested and validated in collaboration with researchers.”

No trends in AI adoption

AIRE received 23 applications in its spring call for demonstration projects, of which nine were selected. According to Kaie Nurmik, Demonstration Projects Manager at AIRE, choosing the projects was far from easy, as all of them addressed real business challenges or helped create new business opportunities.

“The final selection was based on a combination of technological novelty and economic impact, prioritising solutions with the greatest potential business benefit.”

Nurmik sees no single dominant area in which companies want to apply AI. Instead, businesses are beginning to recognise the technology’s wide-ranging impact.

“The trend is that there is no overarching trend. Companies are ready to apply AI wherever it can deliver business value. However, we can see that some companies want to use AI or robotics to improve business processes, while others aim to develop entirely new products and services.”

A successful demonstration project does not always lead to the adoption of the tested solution. According to Kaie Nurmik, a company can also benefit financially if the project reveals that the chosen technology is unsuitable or will not work as intended.

“That is a result, too. Testing can help a company decide against an investment that would have made a loss. At the same time, the trials generate new knowledge that can inform the development of another AI solution better suited to the company’s investment needs.”

What kinds of ideas are welcome?

The proposed idea must be technologically innovative: a comparable, ready-to-use solution must not already be available on the market.

Demonstration projects generally involve testing AI and robotics solutions in innovative products, services or business processes. During a project, a solution based on AI, robotics or the technologies underpinning them is tested, trialled or validated.

To apply for a demonstration project, companies must first register for AIRE’s preliminary AI consultation service. The consultation helps assess the company’s readiness for AI adoption, its current level of AI use, its business challenge and the proposed AI or robotics solution. Where necessary, a development partner is also identified, making it easier to apply for a demonstration project. Registration for the preliminary AI consultation is open until 16 November.

Demonstration projects are carried out in cooperation with Tallinn University of Technology, the University of Tartu, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University, IMECC and Tartu Science Park. Companies can receive up to €49,500 in state aid per project, with no co-financing required.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is open to companies in manufacturing and its supply chain, including logistics, transport, ICT and quality control, with up to 2,999 employees and annual group turnover below €300 million. Companies operating in the defence, energy, agriculture and health technology sectors are also welcome.

Companies must have a strong interest in using AI to improve the efficiency and further development of their products, services and business processes.

How to apply

Companies submit their demonstration project applications jointly with a researcher from an AIRE partner institution. Before submission, the project concept must be validated with the AIRE team. As demonstration projects are always followed by the implementation of an AI solution within the company, the company must involve an in-house specialist who will implement the solution once the project is complete.

Applications are open until 30 November 2026. However, companies must first register for AIRE’s preliminary consultation service by 16 November at the latest. The selected demonstration projects will be announced in February.

Further information: AIRE – Demonstration Projects

A total of 53 demonstration projects were completed between 2022 and 2025. Descriptions of previous projects are available in the “Portfolio” section of our website.

AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia) is dedicated to strengthening the competitiveness of Estonian industrial companies by helping them adopt AI and robotics solutions.

AIRE is also a member of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network.