EIT Manufacturing RIS Hubs Conference 2024
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DeepDiveRIS 2024: Harnessing AI for Green Manufacturing in RIS Countries: Innovating Towards a Sustainable Future
EIT Manufacturing RIS Hubs Conference is an annual event bringing together stakeholders from RIS eligible countries and regions, as well as from other EU member states – mainly – national and regional authorities, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities along with their members and partners, RIS Hubs, universities and SMEs.
In its third edition, this year’s event will take place in Budapest, Hungary, on 29 November, as part of “The Next Decade of Innovations for the Future of Europe” conference, marking the tenth anniversary of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme.
The conference will focus on AI-driven green manufacturing, exploring how artificial intelligence can transform manufacturing processes to become more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive, particularly in RIS countries. Additionally, the event will feature the awarding of the RIS LEADERS finalists, recognising top women innovators who applied for this year’s edition.
Join stakeholders from across Europe, including national and regional authorities, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, RIS Hubs, universities, and SMEs, for this exciting in-person event.
About EIT Manufacturing
EIT Manufacturing is a public-private partnership, co-funded by the European Union and established in 2019. EIT Manufacturing is one of the nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Our purpose is to improve people’s lives through sustainable manufacturing. Our organization brings together a growing network of top-tier industrial partners, leading academic and research institutions from across the region and innovative startups, scaleups and SMEs. Ultimately, EIT Manufacturing strives to accelerate faster innovation with the potential to improve everyday life globally, help meet Europe’s ambitious climate goals, and ensure that its workforce is ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
About RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme)
Through the EIT RIS, one of our highest priority objectives is to boost innovation across the whole of Europe, by strengthening connections among key innovation actors, and as a result, contribute towards addressing the persisting regional disparities in innovation performance in Europe.
The primary role of the RIS Hub is to ensure the visibility of the EIT Community and raise awareness of activities and cooperation opportunities for local actors representing education, business and research areas. RIS Hubs also liaise with the relevant national, regional and local authorities, and facilitate the sharing of EIT Innovation Community expertise with them.
Unfamiliar with the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS)?
The Agenda
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Registration and welcome coffee
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Dr Konstantinos GEORGOULIAS – Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, EIT Manufacturing
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Caroline VIAROUGE – Chief Executive Officer, EIT Manufacturing
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Dr Adam NAGY – Deputy State Secretary for Industry Affairs, Ministry for National Economy of Hungary
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Luke INCORVAJA – Innovation Officer, European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
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Outlook and future perspectives for strengthening regional innovation ecosystems through policy support
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems is essential for driving sustainable economic growth and resilience, particularly in RIS countries. This panel will explore the outlook and future perspectives of the new framework programme and how EIT Community players can promote, position and contribute to forward–looking policies that support sustainability and foster collaboration across regions.
The discussion will highlight the importance of collaborative policymaking to ensure effective integration of innovation strategies into local frameworks, including how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can further support these initiatives and enhance regional competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.
Panellists:
- Balazs KOS – EU Affairs Expert and CEO, Blue Door Consulting
- Francesca GIRARDI – Head of EU Affairs, EIT Manufacturing
- Dr Geza HAIDEGGER – Senior Research Engineer, HUN-REN SZTAKI (Institute for Computer Science and Control)
- Dr Miro HEGEDIĆ – EIT Community Officer Croatia
Moderator: Balazs BARTA – Managing Director, Pannon Business Network (PBN)
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Coffee break
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The future of manufacturing: inclusiveness, gender equality, training and skills for AI and green manufacturing in RIS countries
This panel will highlight the crucial role diversity, inclusiveness and gender equality and education and skill development in preparing individuals for careers in AI-driven circular manufacturing. Panellists will address the necessity of job training, upskilling, and continuous education to keep pace with the rapidly evolving industry. The conversation will focus on innovative educational approaches, strategies to promote gender equality, and successful initiatives that ensure a diverse and skilled workforce ready to lead in sustainable manufacturing practices.
Panellists:
- Dr Cristina BAGHIU – Co-founder & European Digital Innovation Hub Coordinator, EIT Deep Tech Talent Advisory Board Member
- Dilyana PENCHEVA – Project Assistant, Cleantech Bulgaria
- Heilo ALTIN – Senior Specialist of Educational Robotics, University of Tartu
- Viltaré PLATZNER – Head of the Centre of European Projects, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA)
Moderator: Loris VALERO-LECONTE – Education Cluster, EIT Manufacturing
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Pitch Event & Award Ceremony with Caroline VIAROUGE – CEO, EIT Manufacturing
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Lunch break
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Bridging business, education, and innovation – paving the way for AI-driven green manufacturing in EIT RIS countries
For a sustainable future, the integration of AI into manufacturing is not just a technological challenge but a collaborative effort between business creation, education, and innovation. This panel will explore the convergence, synergies and collaboration opportunities of these three pillars to drive the transition towards AI-enhanced circularity in manufacturing.
Panellists, each representing a key sector, will discuss strategies for fostering entrepreneurial ventures, integrating cutting-edge AI education, and driving innovative practices to promote a circular economy.
Panellists:
- Gintaras RIMŠA – CEO and Shareholder, UAB Baltec CNC Technologies
- Dr Maja TRSTENJAK – Head of Laboratory for Logistics at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb
- Dr Vasco FIGUEIREDO TELES – Researcher, INESC-TEC (Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering)
Moderator: Xanthi BAMPOULA, Business Development and Innovation Manager, EIT Manufacturing South East
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Unveiling the potential of RIS regions: real impact and success stories
This panel will dive deep into projects and applications in AI-driven green manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on the contributions and potential of the RIS region. Bringing together experts from tech companies, industry organisations, and research institutions, the discussion will spotlight practical solutions that are already making a significant environmental impact in the manufacturing sector. Panellists will share success stories and case studies rooting to EIT Manufacturing and RIS Hubs activities, aiming to inspire and share best practices to leverage AI for circular and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Speakers:
- Agnieszka STACHOWIAK – Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology
- Andrej GUŠTIN – Co-founder, ProcessSpace
- Dr Luka STERLE – Co-founder, Arclube and Researcher, University of Ljubljana
- Dr Tilman BECKER – Director, Research and Innovation Centre on Advanced Industrial Production (RICAIP) at CIIRC, CTU
Moderator: Patricia KARRER – EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Project Manager, EIT Manufacturing
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- Dr Konstantinos GEORGOULIAS – Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, EIT Manufacturing
- Dr Márton HERCZEG – Head of Innovation Ecosystem Unit at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
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Networking reception