Accelerating AI-Driven Digital Transformation in European Manufacturing

AI-ShiftLabs builds on the established ShiftLabs platform, a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) supporting the digital transformation of manufacturing companies in Sweden.
The initiative strengthens and expands this work, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable digitalisation for industry.

The project is built on a national structure of five regional nodes, combining academic excellence, strong industry engagement, and advanced test and demonstration infrastructure. Each node consists of a leading university in production and manufacturing research together with a technology centre delivering services to industry.

Through AI-ShiftLabs, support is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-sized listed companies, and the public sector, with a focus on AI solutions, cybersecurity, and sustainable digital transformation.

Services and impact

ShiftLabs offers a comprehensive service portfolio structured around four main areas:

1. Test before investment

2. Knowledge and skills development

3. Access to finance

4. Ecosystem networking

The previous ShiftLabs project delivered more than 750 services to approximately 340 unique companies. AI-ShiftLabs builds on this foundation to further strengthen the work and continue contributing to the development of Europe’s digital innovation ecosystem, while delivering effective, industry-driven services for Swedish manufacturing and innovation capacity.

A standardised 12-step customer journey, supported by the ShiftLabs service portal, ensures that companies receive tailored support from inspiration and exploration through to implementation.

Collaboration between research, industry, and education

Partner participation in AI-ShiftLabs is based on strong expertise in industrial digitalisation and close collaboration with industry and the public sector. The project creates synergies between research, education, and industrial application, for example through:

• Pre-studies supported by research expertise
  In-depth assessments of AI and digital maturity in manufacturing processes, exploring how SMEs can be integrated into digital value chains.

• Testbeds and practical application
  Pre-studies are conducted in close collaboration between researchers and testbed engineers, ensuring that academic knowledge is translated into practical solutions for SME operations and production environments.

• Networking and collaboration
  The project builds and develops networks connecting industry and academia, strengthening knowledge exchange and innovation capacity.

• Skills development
  AI-ShiftLabs provides a platform where educational resources meet real industrial needs, strengthening capabilities across companies, academia, and students in AI and sustainable digitalisation. This creates strong opportunities to translate research into concrete industrial value and support sustainable regional growth.

About the EDIH network

The EDIH network is a way for the European Commission to build a vibrant community of hubs and other stakeholders fostering networking, cooperation, and knowledge transfer activities between EDIH, SME and mid-caps, the public sector as well as other relevant stakeholders and initiatives.