AI in Practice
Launch and objectives
The “AI in Practice” initiative, supported by the eco Association, establishes manageable concepts for companies dealing with current and future AI trends. It identifies opportunities and challenges from the perspective of various players in the value chain, from AI providers to data centres. A key megatrend is the development of data ecosystems. The initiative provides best practices and practical recommendations for action on how to exploit AI potential. The relevant framework conditions, such as the AI Act and the ESG Regulation, are taken directly into account. The topics and format are determined by the members.
Concrete concepts and market development
Building on existing concepts in the market and among its members, the initiative identifies and develops valuable building blocks. A declared goal is to promote market development and initiate partnerships for new AI projects by members. Cooperation is pre-competitive, practice-oriented and efficient, with sustainability and resilience integrated from the outset.
Successful launch in March 2024
The kick-off event in March 2024, with 17 pitches and 80 participants, provided a broad and concrete foundation for the initiative. Presentations and interactive sessions on key topics —such as AI platforms (model hosting, trust, Gaia-X), AI applications (enterprise AI, use cases, generative AI, social robots), data ecosystems, sustainable data centres and regulatory frameworks (AI Act, IT security, trustworthiness) — as well as the concept of an AI study for decision-makers, were met with great interest. During the interactive sessions, the core topics were discussed directly on site and concrete goals and expected results of the initiative were jointly defined for the third quarter.
Formation of working groups
The kick-off resulted in the formation of three thematic working groups:
- Data & Services
- Infrastructure
- Framework Conditions
You can register for these groups via the website: https://international.eco.de/ai-in-practice/
Synergies and initiatives in 2024/2025
Through exchanges with other organisations, such as KI.NRW, Mission AI, the KVD service association, and the Digital Campus Zollverein, synergies were exploited, and joint events, as well as internal and external articles reaching the members’ customer segments, were initiated. These will start in 2024, with concrete plans and implementations for 2025.
Results of the “Framework Conditions” working group
One notable outcome is the German-language guide to the AI Act, which was completed by the “Framework Conditions” working group in 2024: https://www.eco.de/ki-in-der-praxis/downloads/
Successful planning for 2024: Roadshow on the AI Act in 2025
The roadshow on the AI Act planned for 2025 received a very positive response, with 70-80 registrations and attendees in Berlin and Essen. The content and results of these events will be incorporated into the work of EuroCloud and other eco topics.
Links to the roadshow:
Outlook for 2025
In 2024, work started on integrating the HLRS (High Performance Computing Centre Stuttgart) and presenting industry use cases to the working groups and the public at an event and webinar. The aim is to use this as a basis for deriving further concrete goals and tasks for the initiative.
