EAS-EL – European AI Sandbox for Entrepreneurial Learning is a 24-month project funded under the EIT Higher Education Initiative 2025, Topic 2: Building Synergies.
The project aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship across the Arqus Alliance by creating a shared European ecosystem where students, researchers and staff can explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), develop innovative ideas and transform them into entrepreneurial solutions.
At the heart of the project is the European AI Sandbox, a collaborative environment that combines AI experimentation, entrepreneurship education and responsible innovation. Through EAS-EL, Arqus and its partners will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, support the development of AI-based solutions and strengthen links between higher education, research and industry.
Objectives
EAS-EL aims to promote AI-driven innovation and entrepreneurship by:
- Establishing the European AI Sandbox as a shared environment for experimentation and learning
- Fostering entrepreneurial skills among students, researchers and staff
- Supporting the development and validation of AI-based ideas and prototypes
- Promoting responsible, human-centred and trustworthy AI practices
- Strengthening collaboration between universities, industry and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) ecosystem
Why EAS-EL?
Artificial intelligence is transforming every sector of society, creating new opportunities for innovation while raising important ethical, social and economic challenges. Higher education institutions play a key role in preparing students, researchers and entrepreneurs to harness the potential of AI responsibly.
EAS-EL responds to this challenge by providing a collaborative environment where members of the Arqus Alliance can experiment with AI technologies, develop entrepreneurial competences and work across disciplines to create solutions with real societal impact.
Arqus’ contribution
Building on its strong commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial education, the Arqus Alliance contributes to the development of a shared European ecosystem for AI-driven entrepreneurship.
Through EAS-EL, Arqus member universities will work together to create new learning opportunities, promote responsible AI practices and connect students, researchers and staff with the wider EIT innovation community. The project will also strengthen collaboration across disciplines, ensuring that AI entrepreneurship is accessible not only to STEM fields but also to the humanities, social sciences, law, business and other areas of knowledge.
Project information
- Programme: EIT Higher Education Initiative
- Call: EIT HEI Initiative 2025 – Topic 2: Building Synergies
- Duration: 24 months
- EU contribution: Up to €1,998,995