EIT Community is proud to have actively participated in the International Artificial Intelligence Summit 2024, held in Brussels on December 5, 2024. This high-profile event brought together nearly 200 in-person attendees and over 300 virtual participants from around the world, creating a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration on the future of AI governance, policy, and innovation.

The summit addressed the most pressing issues in AI development and governance, with a particular focus on how global cooperation can enhance responsible and equitable AI deployment. The event was co-located and sponsored by EIT Community, enabling us to highlight our mission of fostering a balanced and sustainable AI ecosystem in Europe and beyond.

Shaping the future of AI

The conference featured over 30 sessions and panel discussions, making for an exhaustive and comprehensive overview. Among the key themes were AI regulation and governance, as well as their surrounding, evolving regulatory landscape, including developments such the EU AI Act and the new EU AI Office. Participants also delved into the influence of geopolitical competition on AI development and governance. Other discussion points touched on equitable access to AI technologies and the strategies needed to ensure that all segments of society benefit from AI, AI safety, and risk mitigation. These discussions centered around establishing global standards to address the risks of AI deployment while maintaining safety. Another important area was the development of global standards and ethical guidelines for AI, with a focus on fostering international cooperation to govern AI technologies. The summit also explored the role of AI, robotics, and automation in driving innovation and enhancing economic growth.

Our Contribution

EIT Digital made a significant contribution to the summit, hosting a well-attended side event that explored how AI can drive inclusive growth and foster an intergenerational workforce. The session addressed key challenges, such as the digital skills gap and the need for age-inclusive AI tools.

This event perfectly aligned with EIT Community's mission to drive Europe’s digital transformation through innovation and education.

Looking ahead

Post-event feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with surveyed participants rating the organization and content delivery as "Good" or "Excellent." We were thrilled to see such strong appreciation, as the final report highlighted that the "EIT Digital workshop [was] very helpful in the morning, providing us with the opportunity to contribute to the discussion points throughout the day, even if we were not the main speakers of the Summit."

EIT Digital remains committed to advancing the responsible development and adoption of AI technologies. Insights gained from the International AI Summit 2024 will inform our ongoing work in policy development, research, and innovation.