News

Are you a forward-thinking SME or startup in geotechnical engineering or soil monitoring? Imec invites you to join an experimental study exploring UAV-based hyperspectral imaging and AI for advanced subsurface analysis. This initiative offers selected EU-based companies discounted access to imec’s state-of-the-art validation services. We're seeking a seasoned partner to help answer research questions on soil classification and subsurface disturbance detection—especially in archaeologically rich landscapes.

On June 25th The Southern Node of CitCom.ai, led from València, hosted the AI Forum on Tourism and Smart Cities, a working day focused on the development and testing of AI-based solutions to address concrete urban challenges.

How can cities use AI to make cycling safer and more comfortable? The City of Mechelen is finding out through an ambitious innovation challenge that invited innovators to test their novel solutions in real-world conditions. One participant, Belgian scale-up XenomatiX, deployed its lidar- and camera-based XenoBike to map over 50 km of strategic cycling routes with unprecedented precision. This pilot, part of the Citcom.ai initiative, marks Mechelen’s steps in becoming a living lab for urban innovation—where smart technology meets public infrastructure to create safer, more sustainable cities.

Stay up to date with the latest news, success cases and best practices, upcoming and completed events, test results on AI models, and a lot more that may be of interest for you as an AI startup or small company developing smart city AI solutions, or working in a city.

High interest on CitCom partner RISE AI Support Day on June 3rd with 30 participating AI Startups and SMEs. Citcom.ai together with AgriFood TEF, TEF Health and the Swedish AI Factory MIMER presented how they support AI innovators with data, support services, AI expertise, access to free compute, AI testing and AI model risk classification and more.

The Data Space Symposium is a global event dedicated to the future of data spaces, bringing together the brightest minds, leading innovators, and pioneering organizations to shape a connected, datadriven world and therefore the place to be for Citcom.ai. CitCom was featured at the FIWARE booth.

CitCom.ai TEF was displayed at Stockholm Tech Show 14-15 May. It was Anders Gavler, Alex Jonsson and Petra Dalunde who were meeting potential customers this time. We got many visitors and the interest in testing AI models and the other services offered in the RISE site was surprisingly high.

CitCom.ai is transforming how cities across Europe harness the potential of artificial intelligence. With a vast network of researchers, testbeds, and digital resources, this initiative is accelerating innovation in smart city technology. See how CitCom.ai is making a measurable impact — by the numbers.

In the heart of Luxembourg, the city of Differdange is setting a powerful example for urban innovation and sustainability. As part of the EU’s "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" mission, Differdange is leveraging cutting-edge technologies—like Local Digital Twins—and collaborative governance to fast-track its path to climate neutrality. Partnering with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology through the CitCom.ai project, the city is transforming data into action, proving that smart, sustainable solutions can be both practical and people-focused.

In Valencia, your AI doesn’t just run in simulations — it’s tested in the streets, parks, and systems of a leading smart city. With access to cutting-edge infrastructure, ethical and cybersecurity guidance, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem, the Valencia TEF site is where AI meets the real world — and proves it’s ready to scale.

What if your city's traffic cameras could do more than just watch? A groundbreaking CitCom.ai use case is showing how AI-powered cameras can securely share anonymized data—creating new business models, supporting research, and protecting privacy. It's a bold step toward smarter, more connected, and privacy-conscious cities.

In the CitCom project, cities play a vital role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. By bringing together municipalities, companies, and research institutions, CitCom fosters collaboration that turns real societal challenges into opportunities for innovation. Through initiatives like City Challenges, European SMEs and cities co-create smart, green, and inclusive solutions that are tested in real urban environments.

On April 3rd, 2025, the University Gustave Eiffel hosted the second physical workshop of the Central Supernode at its Champs-sur-Marne campus near Paris. The workshop led to the development of three advanced proposals aimed at boosting AI-driven solutions for smarter, more sustainable cities.

Our Spanish partner, València Innovation Capital, has launched the Citizen Classrooms programme as part of CitCom.AI, aiming to explore the social impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These workshops engage various social groups, fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and informed decision-making.

What happens when AI startups tackle real municipal problems? CitCom.ai’s City Challenges bring local needs and tech innovation to the same table - follow us to see how it plays out in our first 'challenger', Guldborgsund.

How can better mobility data improve urban planning? The mobility mapping City Challenge in Guldborgsund is bringing cities and innovators together to find out. After a first round of pitches, the most promising solutions are now being evaluated.

CitCom project brought together key players — companies, entrepreneurs, and Spanish partners —to showcase AI-driven success stories, foster collaboration, and develop innovative urban strategies. Held in Valencia at Las Naves, the event highlighted AI applications in areas such as noise management, emergency response, tourism analytics, and digital twins for city planning.

The CitCom.ai TEF consortium has conducted a market analysis mapping the current context within the European Union (EU) for artificial intelligence (AI) testing and experimentation facilities (TEFs). The report maps the current landscape and identified actors, trends, and challenges to guide the AI TEF’s development and impact.

At CitCom.ai, we support AI startups across Europe in testing, validating and scaling their innovations efficiently and affordably. When you reach out to us, here’s what you can expect.

Curious if your AI is getting the quality data it needs to perform reliably? Just like a balanced diet fuels better health, high-quality, well-prepared data powers fair, accurate AI models. Learn about the essential steps to test and maintain data quality, ensuring your AI meets the mark for real-world decisions.

Our recent research, based on data from all of CitCom.ai’s 16 test sites and 26 different experiments, reveals that AI innovators find it difficult to navigate EU’s inner workings on AI regulations. It is therefore not surprising that this TEF-service also made it to the top of the list of our most popular services.

Despite its potential, AI faces several significant barriers that hinder its widespread adoption. Based on insights from AI innovators and experts, here are some of the biggest hurdles standing in the way of AI development and implementation in Europe today.

In a forward-looking partnership, Swedish startup Edeva AB teamed up with RISE and CitCom.ai to explore AI for optimising traffic data management and analysis. Initially, RISE used Edeva’s data to develop a traffic prediction model, but as the project evolved, Edeva transitioned from data provider to client, seeking RISE’s expertise in AI refinement and regulatory compliance through tailored workshops.

The transport sector contributes about a third of global CO2 emissions, with road freight and distribution accounting for half of that. While electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution, challenges like high costs, limited range, and insufficient charging infrastructure persist. For heavy-duty vehicles, these issues are even more critical. One promising solution is vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV), which can reduce emissions and operational costs by providing part of the energy needed for movement and other systems.

The deployment of electromobility in urban areas is crucial for sustainable development. Local Digital Twins (LDTs) are emerging as the most suitable tools to facilitate informed decision-making for city planners. Find out how from a recent pilot in the city of Differdange in south Luxembourg.

AI has already proven its potential to enhance the overall performance of entire industries. But the growing demand for AI-powered solutions is also adding pressure on a global energy system that is already struggling to cope with alternative sources of demand. Can AI also be its own saviour? This is what a Danish company will test as part of their collaboration with CitCom.ai.

One of the first to test and develop their AI-powered technology at CitCom.ai’s facilities is a Belgian company with a history that pre-dates both the personal computer and the television. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Macq has plenty of experience in adopting new technologies and is now investing in AI across its product range, hoping CitCom.ai can offer proof of a new concept for safer roads.

The potential for products based on artificial intelligence in the German market is pronounced. There are several particularly exciting opportunities for AI solutions within smart, sustainable cities and societies. The development is influenced by Germans' general unease with data sharing. This was one of the key points that a Danish delegation from TEF DK took away from a visit to Berlin. - And Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv) emphasizes the importance of the TEF collaboration to strengthen Danish companies' global position.

The European project CitCom.AI celebrates in Las Naves the Technical Review event in front of experts from the European Commission. The project develops artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions for smart and sustainable cities and offers innovators to test and validate them in real environments. València coordinates the Super South Node that addresses issues such as pollution and noise management, sustainable urban development and smart tourism management. See CitCom.ai intro video and photos from the meeting in Spain.

The EU has launched a major investment for a total of DKK 1.65 billion to accelerate the development of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe. With an initial focus on power, mobility and connectivity, CitCom.ai TEF's job is to test AI and robotics before they get into places where humans live and move around. Get a short introduction to CitCom.ai TEF.

Håkan Burden and Susanne Stenberg, Legal Experts at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, were present at "All TEFs Open for Business" in Berlin. They highlighted RISE's commitment to supporting SMEs in testing and experimenting with AI within the CitCom.ai TEF, focusing on test facilities that promote this purpose. How are these establishments affected by new regulations and what potential consequences could arise for the market? Have a look at this short summary of their insights and see their presentation slides.

Valencia inaugurates La Harinera building, becoming the headquarters of CitCom.AI in the Spanish city. The building will serve as a hub for the development, testing, and validation of artificial intelligence-based solutions. As the leader of the Southern Node, Valencia (Spain), alongside partner countries like Germany, Poland, and Italy, will focus on enhancing digital connectivity and smart networks for a sustainable future.

Europe is quick to implement technologies and we can already see the impact of using AI. That was one of the messages when the four TEFs gathered at Cherité in Berlin on Monday to mark the publication of the service catalogues with the offers already available today to test AI-based products. At the "All TEFs Open for Business" meeting, the newest shoot of the TEF strain Prevail was also presented as the fifth TEF.

The European AI industry seems to be turning the established hierarchies from other regions on its head. Where large companies dominate the industry in for example the US, startups are driving the AI revolution in Europe.

The question of Europe’s digital fitness isn't just about technology; it's about readiness, adaptability, and the ability to harness digital advancements for collective progress. We take the pulse on the key areas and prescribe the most effective health regimes to make Europe fit for the digital age.

The four AI European Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) announce their readiness for business on March 4 in Berlin! Please join the “All TEFs Open for Business” Event in Berlin, Germany with welcome messages from Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economy, Berlin, Germany, and Lucilla Sioli, Director “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry”, Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content & Technology, EC.

AI innovators across Europe are ready to unleash their creativity on our cities and communities to accelerate the green transition and turn the continent into a global hub of cutting-edge technology. A new and comprehensive study provides key insights into the challenges they are facing, and how CitCom.ai’s services can help overcome them. Here’s a brief overview of some of the insights.

With help from the Danish company EnergyCool ApS and partners such as RISE and ITK Innovation, Aarhus City Lab, CitCom.ai has highlighted its role in facilitating innovation, experimentation, and optimization for smart and sustainable cities.

CitCom.ai started the first day of 2024 by opening the doors to its testing facilities to businesses across Europe.

This week saw the official launch of the four AI TEFs which will ensure responsible AI in Europe. The key take-away from the event? Excitement, right time to invest and eye-opening visits to existing facilities in Denmark.

A €220m investment launching on 27 June provides a permanent capacity to deliver responsible AI in Europe by testing solutions before they hit the market and become a part of healthcare, manufacturing, agri-food, and everyday life.

AI and Robotics Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) Launch in Copenhagen June 27, 2023

A permanent Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) will help accelerate the development of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe by giving companies access to test AI-based products.