To enable universities to effectively respond to these challenges, we must significantly strengthen not only the funding of R&I but the entire R&I ecosystem. To this end, we call on universities, national funders and the European Union to:
1. Strengthen fundamental research on AI. The Heitor Report warns that the EU has lost its global leadership position on AI research that it held 2000-2015, falling behind China and the US in the number of top-quality citations. Europe cannot improve its global position without serious investment in fundamental research in AI.
2. Strengthen the use of AI in cross-disciplinary research, not only to strengthen Europe’s wider research base, but also to enhance our understanding of the uses of AI and their impact.
3. Develop and strengthen skills for using AI in research and foster talent among students and researchers.
4. Optimise infrastructure and data, such as improving computing infrastructure and data availability, as this is crucial for sharing data and accessing sustainable computing resources.
The Guild’s recommendations address the diverse challenges AI poses across different research areas and supports the responsible use of AI in research. The Guild remains committed to collaborating with the Commission in developing its vision for AI to ensure AI is used effectively in advancing scientific progress across Europe.
Jan Palmowski, Secretary General of The Guild:
“As Zaharieva is tasked to put forward a strategy to increase the uptake of AI by European scientists, this strategy needs to follow a holistic approach - this to ensure research and education can fully help propel Europe’s leadership in AI itself and in applying its uses to help generate breakthrough knowledge and application. We urge the Commission, but also funders, governments and universities to closely align in the upcoming strategy, and ensure that this alignment is implemented.”