Flemish Region in Belgium launches AI plan
The Flemish Region of Belgium (also known as Flanders) launched an action plan on artificial intelligence (AI) and announced an overall annual investment of €32 million in AI research, implementation, ethics, and training. Within this plan, the Flemish AI research programme – to benefit from €12 million annually – will focus on the development of AI applications in four main areas: AI for supporting complex decisions (data science), real-time and energy-efficient AI, multi-actor collaborative AI, and human-like AI. In addition, €15 million will be allocated to support the implementation of AI within Flemish companies, as well as the overall digitalisation of the private sector. Lastly, €5 million are earmarked annually for AI training and for an Ethics Knowledge Centre, which will develop expertise around issues related to AI ethics.