On 13 November 2025, between 14:00-15:30, under the auspices of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, the event „Apply AI: SMEs at the forefront of Europe’s AI sovereignty” took place. The event focused on the strategic ambitions of the Apply AI Strategy – the European plan for accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across strategic sectors, with the participation of Cristina Baghiu, Coordinator of the Digital Innovation Zone.
Representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, economic chambers, and AI solution providers discussed how SMEs can leverage opportunities and contribute to European technological sovereignty by reducing dependence on external suppliers.
For our region, North-East Romania, these debates come at a decisive moment: many SMEs are only now beginning their digitalisation journey, while the potential for AI remains significant but largely untapped. As the local EDIH, the Digital Innovation Zone aims to translate strategic ambitions into concrete actions tailored to the regional context.
Why this event matters for Romania and the North-East region
The event focused on three key directions:
- measures from the Apply AI Strategy to integrate AI into strategic sectors and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty
- tools offered to SMEs for adopting “made in Europe” AI solutions (infrastructures, AI factories, EDIHs, skills academies)
- the market outlook regarding digital transformation and AI adoption across the EU, including challenges and opportunities
Key speakers included:
- Malgorzata Nikowska (Head of Unit “Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Policy Coordination”, DG CNECT, European Commission) – opening speech
- Panel discussion: Brando Benifei (MEP, S&D Italy), Stephanie Yon-Courtin (MEP, Renew Europe, France) (TBC), Florian Schäfer (Policy Officer, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber – WKÖ), Jennifer Woodard (Chief Product & Technology Officer, Logically), and Cristina Baghiu (President, EDIH Digital Innovation Zone). Our presence on the panel clearly shows that North-East Romania and its local EDIH are part of Europe’s broader AI adoption agenda.
Digital Innovation Zone’s vision: what it means to transform the EDIH into an “Experience Centre for AI”
The event and the Apply AI strategy confirm that EDIHs must evolve into AI experience centres—not only offering consultancy, but enabling piloting, testing, and matchmaking between demand and supply. For us, this involves:
- Diagnostics and tailored pathways for SMEs: using digital maturity assessment tools (DMA), helping companies identify bottlenecks (data, skills, infrastructure), and guiding them through pragmatic steps towards AI.
- Infrastructure, European partnerships & real-world testing: creating a triage system directing companies to European platforms such as AI-on-Demand, TEFs, and AI Factories; building sector-specific technology demonstrators aligned with regional priorities such as manufacturing, HoReCa, tourism, and agriculture.
- Selecting adoptable solutions for SMEs: verifying whether a solution responds to a real need; has transparent costs and predictable ROI; matches the company’s digital maturity level; complies with EU regulations (AI Act, data, security); and offers local, Romanian-language support.
- Adapting to regional realities: our region has lower cloud adoption, limited digital skills, and restricted funding. The Apply AI Strategy must therefore be implemented differentially, with support for piloting suitable solutions, low-risk financing, and increased localisation of services.
What needs to happen for the strategy to work for Romania and CEE
- Introducing vouchers and dedicated funding tools for AI pilots in SMEs from regions with low digital maturity.
- Creating a catalogue of validated European AI solutions tailored to SMEs and easily usable in Romania.
- Providing additional regional support for training, local capacity building, and integration: Central and Eastern European EDIHs should receive proportionally higher resources and funds.
- Full localisation: Romanian language, local integrators, case studies from Romania/Eastern Europe, sector-specific adaptations (tourism, HoReCa, agriculture, small-scale manufacturing).
- Tracking adoption indicators (number of companies piloting AI, ROI, “made in Europe” solutions adopted) to evaluate and adjust interventions.
The event “Apply AI: SMEs at the forefront of Europe’s AI sovereignty” reaffirmed that European SMEs can play a central role in Europe’s technological sovereignt, but only if they receive the right tools, infrastructure, and regionally tailored support.
In North-East Romania, through the Digital Innovation Zone, we assume the role of bridging European strategies with local realities: transforming ambition into concrete pillars for AI adoption, creating impact, and helping companies become competitive, digital, innovative, and autonomous.We will continue collaborating with the European Commission, the EDIH network, regional stakeholders, and AI solution providers to deliver an ecosystem where “made in Europe” AI becomes accessible and valuable for Romanian SMEs.