The University of Huelva (UHU) plays a crucial role at the forefront of technological innovation, having been part of AIR-Andalusia, the leading European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) in the autonomous community, since 2023. This center focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Robotics, aiming to strengthen the Andalusian industrial ecosystem.
Antonio Peregrín, a professor in the Area of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and the project lead at UHU, emphasizes the importance of universities in practical training. "Universities have a particularly relevant role in training and education, with courses highly oriented towards practice and the real needs of companies, designed to facilitate the direct adoption of these technologies," he states.
AIR-Andalusia, conceived as an Andalusian Digital Innovation Center, primarily aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Andalusian public administrations. It seeks to enhance their competitiveness, efficiency, and technological adaptability by offering unique access to specialized services such as experimentation, training, advice, and connections within the innovation ecosystem.
This Andalusian hub boasts a budget exceeding 5 million euros, co-financed 50% by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme. Its objectives include facilitating access to advanced digitalization services to optimize processes and develop products, allowing organizations to test technological solutions before making definitive investments. "Companies can test technologies, develop prototypes, or conduct proof-of-concept studies before making the final leap, which reduces risks and improves decision-making," explains Peregrín.
The collaboration among participating institutions, including the University of Huelva, strengthens the regional industrial fabric. UHU, through Antonio Peregrín, contributes scientific and technical resources for R&D&I, leveraging expertise in knowledge transfer within sectors like agriculture and aquaculture to offer solutions connected to the local productive base.
The consortium's activities focus on technological testing, experimentation, and validation, encompassing digital maturity assessments, technological needs analysis, and prototype development. The hub facilitates access to public and private funding, with many initiatives supported by the European Union, allowing SMEs to access services at minimal cost, representing a significant opportunity for digitalization.
The project aligns with regional strategies such as S4Andalusia and the Andalusian Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030. The main challenge, according to Peregrín, is encouraging companies to engage with the initiative and explore its service catalog. The business perception of AI has evolved from being merely interesting to a growing demand.
The project, with an initial three-year horizon, aims to attract, train, and support companies. "It is crucial for SMEs to join from the beginning, as this allows them to benefit from the services for a longer period and maximize the impact on their digital maturity," concludes Peregrín.
