The European AI Edge – Falling Behind or Taking the Lead?

Join us for a live-podcast hosted by AIRE at Latitude59 on the SEB stage, where we dive into how Europe can turn its strong academic institutions, growing engineering talent, and collaborative networks into a sustainable and inclusive AI advantage.

If you’re curious about how AI can truly empower startups, support SMEs, and bring value to society as a whole  this discussion is for you.

Moderator: Frederik Milani – Head of Strategy & Innovation, Baltics at SEB

Speakers:

🔹 Kirke Maar – Head of AI and Robotics Estonia (AIRE): Kirke Maar has led AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE EDIH) since its launch in 2021. With 25 years of leadership experience in managing large-scale, publicly co-funded collaboration networks, she has played a central role in building Estonia’s largest AI community. By 2024, AIRE actively engages over 50 key organisations and supports more than 200 SMEs daily, offering cross-border services, monthly AI clubs, training, and 50+ pilot projects with universities.

🔹 Alois Krtil – CEO, ARIC Hamburg: Alois Krtil is the Managing Director and founder of ARIC Hamburg, a leading AI innovation hub. With a background in data science and engineering, he has led over 200 frontier tech projects and served as Executive Director of Hamburg’s technology transfer office. He is also CTO at EdTech firm PINKTUM, a lecturer, and an active member of various national advisory boards. Alois is a recognized voice in AI across Germany and Europe.

🔹 Mikael Ljungblom – Director of Public Policy & International Relations, AI Sweden: Having worked for several years at the intersection of policy, politics and AI, Mikael Ljungblom is currently working as Director of Public Policy and International Relations at AI Sweden, the Swedish national center for applied AI. He has formerly worked as political advisor in the Swedish government, in the national parliament, and for the Swedish permanent representation to the EU.

Join us live at Kultuurikatel or tune in online