EAS-EL project kicks off in Graz to advance AI-driven innovation and entrepreneurship across Arqus

The EAS-EL – European AI Sandbox for Entrepreneurial Learning project officially kicked off in Graz on 7–8 September, bringing together representatives of the project consortium for two days of networking, discussion and collaboration.

Hosted by the University of Graz at the Unicorn Startup & Innovation Hub, the meeting marked the beginning of the 24-month EIT Higher Education Initiative-funded project, which aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship capacity across the Arqus Alliance through the development of a shared European AI Sandbox. 

During the kick-off, partners worked across the project’s five work packages to establish priorities for the first six months, clarify roles and dependencies, and develop a shared approach to project governance and implementation. The programme also included input from the EIT Higher Education Initiative and discussions on how EAS-EL can connect with the wider EIT innovation ecosystem.

At the heart of EAS-EL is the creation of a secure and responsible environment in which students, researchers and staff can develop, test and advance AI-based ideas, supported by entrepreneurship and AI education, responsible AI governance, technical infrastructure and links to business and innovation ecosystems. 

Led by the University of Graz, EAS-EL brings together partners from Graz, Leipzig, Granada, Durham, Maynooth and Vilnius, alongside Unicorn/ZWI and EY, with the Universities of Minho, Padua and Lyon 1 participating as associated partners.