The artificial intelligence and robotics center AIRE (EDIH) is co-financed by the European Union from the "European Digital Innovation Hubs" program (project number 101256226) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
AIRE Club in Brussels
08 June 2026 – AIRE Club #53 in Brussels
Europe Cannot Afford Blind Experimentation – AI Ecosystems Shaping Energy Security and Corporate Strategy
Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union (Rue Guimard 11/13, 1040 Brussels, Belgium)
13:30 – 14:00 Doors open, welcome coffee
14:00 – 14:30 Opening remarks
Prof. Tiit Land, Rector, TalTech, Tallinn University of Technology
H.E. Helen Kaljuläte, Ambassador of Estonia to Belgium and Luxembourg
Katre Eljas, Head of AI and Robotics Estonia AIRE
Malgorzata Nikowska, Head of Unit in AI Office, Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Policy Coordination in DG CNECT of the European Commission
14:30 – 15:15 Panel Discussion: How do TEFs, EDIHs and AI Factories s actually translate into competitive advantage for European companies?
Europe has made significant investments in advanced digital and research infrastructure, including Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) and AI Factories. Despite this, many companies continue to face difficulties in accessing, effectively using, and deriving tangible value from these resources.
This panel explores the gap between infrastructure and real industrial impact, and what is required to turn Europe’s investments into measurable competitiveness.
Petra Dalunde, Head of AI Ecosystem and Policy, Mimer AI Factory, Sweden
Stig Marthinsen, Head of Oceanopolis EDIH, Norway
Malgorzata Nikowska, Head of Unit in AI Office, Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Policy Coordination in DG CNECT, European Commission
Thomas De Meester, System Engineer and Innovation Manager at IMEC, Deputy coordinator of CitCom.ai TEF, Belgium
Moderator: Karin Jancykova, Head of FactoryXChange EDIH, Ireland
15:15 – 15:45 Coffee break
15:45 – 16:15 Company lightning pitches: Innovation in Practice
Ants Vill, CEO & Co-founder of Bisly
More speakers to be confirmed
16:15 – 16:45 Panel Discussion: Energy Security in the Digital Age: Resilience, Partnerships, and Preparedness
As Europe’s energy systems become more digital, interconnected, and intelligent, they are also becoming more exposed to cyber risks, technological failures, geopolitical dependencies, and crisis situations. Strengthening energy security today means balancing efficiency with resilience, national priorities with regional cooperation, and innovation with preparedness.
This panel explores how Europe can improve crisis readiness, strengthen strategic partnerships, secure smart grids, and better use advanced technologies such as AI and simulation to protect critical energy infrastructure.
Kadri Simson, Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University
Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, the Union of the Electricity Industry (EURELECTRIC)
Moderator: Einari Kisel, Professor of Practice on Energy Policies, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Energy Advisor to the Ministry of Climate
More speakers to be announced
16:45 – 17:00 Closing remarks
17:00 – 19:00 AIRE Club Pre-Summit Matchmaking
Host and Moderator:
Evelin Ebruk, Customer Relationship Manager at AI and Robotics Estonia AIRE
Registration is open until 1st of June.
Information may also be shared with other colleagues and stakeholders interested in the topic. As the number of places is limited, we kindly encourage you to register at your earliest convenience.
Banner photo: Renee Altrov, Brand Estonia


