Corda Campus launches AI Space as central hub for artificial intelligence in Limburg
New collaboration brings together expertise, resources and innovation power around AI
Today, Corda Campus in Hasselt opens the AI Space, a new hub that brings together companies, knowledge institutions and partners around artificial intelligence. For this, the Hasselt innovation campus is joining forces with POM Limburg and Hasselt University. With this initiative, Corda Campus aims to grow into a central node for AI innovation in Limburg and at the same time shift up a gear.
As the largest technology campus in the country, with around 250 companies and 5,000 professionals, Corda Campus today opens the AI Space, a new hub that brings together companies, knowledge institutions and partners around artificial intelligence. The AI Space, housed in the Corda 6 building, serves both as a physical meeting place on campus and as a content platform where knowledge, initiatives and collaborations around artificial intelligence come together. For this, the Hasselt innovation campus is joining forces with POM Limburg and Hasselt University. With this initiative, Corda Campus aims to grow into a central node for AI innovation in Limburg and at the same time shift up a gear.
Give and take
At the core of the AI Space’s operation is the ‘give and take’ principle. Existing training courses, workshops and events around AI are bundled and made accessible through one central location. In addition, new initiatives are set up in collaboration with partners. The AI Space also acts as a connecting link between organisations, with the aim of stimulating new collaborations and concrete opportunities around AI applications.
As a partner within the AI Space and based at Corda Campus, POM Limburg focuses on stimulating concrete AI applications in companies. POM Limburg also aims to set up an AI fund, which will make financial support possible for AI projects.
“Many companies today see the potential of artificial intelligence, but do not know well where to start or how to concretely implement that technology in their operations,” says Tom Vandeput, Deputy for Economy and chairman of POM Limburg. “With the AI Space, we want to lower that threshold. We bring together companies, knowledge and infrastructure, so that ideas can more quickly grow into concrete applications that make a difference on the work floor.”
LARA
By being part of the AI Space, organisations gain access to a strong network and knowledge sharing, and can further shape their AI projects within a stimulating environment. The AI Space also focuses on the deployment of new technologies. For example, LARA, the Limburg AI Research Accelerator – a new AI infrastructure that helps companies work with AI faster and more efficiently – will also be deployed in the AI Space later this year. LARA is an initiative led by UHasselt, in collaboration with partners Cegeka, Androme and Corda Campus. LARA will offer new possibilities for both companies and research.
“Artificial intelligence requires close collaboration between research and practice,” says Bernard Vanheusden, rector of UHasselt. “With the AI Space, we create an environment in which knowledge is more quickly translated into applications, and in which companies and researchers strengthen each other.”
Central place
With the launch of the AI Space, Corda Campus confirms its ambition to play a leading role in digital innovation and technological development in Limburg. The AI Space is freely accessible at the start. From September onwards, a membership model will be introduced, allowing start-ups and corporate companies to join. Members gain access to the network, the activities and the physical space on campus to collaborate and exchange knowledge. Later this year, they will also gain access to LARA.
