The project for the Romanian Artificial Intelligence HUB – HRIA designed to create and commission a national hub for research and innovation in artificial intelligence capable of generating advanced technologies, stimulating the development of intelligent products and services and facilitating the transfer of research to industry, was launched on June 25 at the Politehnica Bucharest National University of Science and Technology.
Carried out under the Smart Growth, Digital Transformation and Financial Instruments Programme 2021-2027, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the HRIA project aims to position Romania as a strategic node in artificial intelligence in Central and Eastern Europe.
Coordinated by Politehnica Bucharest, HRIA brings together an elite academic consortium of six of the most important universities in Romania and eight innovative SMEs with a technological profile. The academic partners involved in the project are: Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Vest University of Timisoara, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, University of Bucharest and Babes-Bolya University of Cluj-Napoca.
The project will actively contribute to increasing innovation, attracting talent and training a generation of AI specialists, ready to meet the challenges of the global digital economy.
At the same time, by integrating with the European Research Area, HRIA will position Romania in a direct dialogue with Europe’s major innovation centres.
Minister of Education and Research Daniel David voiced appreciation for this ambitious project, while Politehnica Bucharest Rector Mihnea Costoiu said:
“Without exaggerating, this is a landmark moment in Romania’s technological future. We are currently at the launch of this platform that will respond to a much broader need within European and national strategies. (…) The Romanian Intelligence Hub is not just a research project – we do not regard it only as a research project, but it is a strategic platform to develop an ecosystem meant to become the engine of AI innovation for Romania. (…) It is obvious to us that Romania can no longer develop either in research or in other fields with a single engine. (…) We need more engines in this direction to share infrastructures and unite efforts. (…) This hub is intended for many, not only engineers, not only people who come from science, mathematics, computer science, but especially for our beneficiaries, the companies,” Politehnica Bucharest Rector Mihnea Costoiu said in his turn.
