Description

HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-06

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action supports international cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a focus on strengthening AI ecosystems in low- and middle-income countries through sustainable partnerships, technology transfer, and responsible innovation.

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to at least one of the following outcomes:

• Accelerated adoption of tailored AI solutions within innovation hubs in low- and middle-income countries, achieved through training and optimisation of AI systems using locally sourced data and applied research.
• Improved large-scale deployment of AI technologies, by enhancing the efficiency of system prototyping, testing, and demonstration in real-world operational environments.
• Stronger local innovation ecosystems that generate sustainable socio-economic benefits by addressing key societal challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.

Scope

Projects should develop, prototype, test, validate, and demonstrate AI systems in operational environments aligned with EU policy frameworks, including the International Digital Strategy for the EU and the AI Continent Action Plan. The initiative aims to reinforce local AI ecosystems, particularly in African countries, while promoting responsible AI development, North–South digital cooperation, and sustainable AI innovation.

The core objective is to support the digital transition and inclusive socio-economic transformation of partner countries by adapting and applying AI technologies and research capabilities developed in Europe to local contexts in low- and middle-income countries.

This Innovation Action focuses on accelerating access to and uptake of AI solutions by local innovation hubs, ensuring practical implementation and preparing solutions for future market deployment. Proposals should demonstrate complementarity and synergies with ongoing EU initiatives in digital partnerships and infrastructure, such as Digital for Development (D4D) Hub and AI for Public Good, and may adopt collaborative approaches such as Living Labs.

Projects should also contribute to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, promoting smart, secure, and sustainable digital connections, and supporting improvements in energy, transport, health, education, and research systems globally. AI technologies developed under this topic should be locally relevant, environmentally sustainable, and aligned with the EU’s commitment to resilient and equitable global partnerships.