Analyzing the Current State of European AI Ecosystems
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape scientific research, industrial applications, and public policy across the globe. In Europe, maintaining a competitive edge requires strategic cooperation between nations, robust infrastructure investments, and a clear understanding of AI’s practical limitations. A recent panel discussion titled “AI Beyond the Hype: Limits, Innovations, and Perspectives,” held on April 16th, brought these exact themes to the forefront. Organized jointly by the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, the Embassy of Italy, the Ruđer Bošković Institute, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Zagreb, the event marked the Italian Research Day in the World.
The gathering served as a critical platform for evaluating where AI currently stands, moving past marketing buzzwords to examine tangible research developments. By bringing together Croatian and Italian experts, the discussion highlighted the distinct yet complementary approaches both nations are taking to foster AI innovation. For researchers, students, and policymakers, the insights shared during this panel provide a realistic roadmap for navigating the complex European AI landscape.
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How the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing Leads Croatian AI Research
At the core of Croatia’s domestic AI capabilities is the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). Academician Prof. Sven Lončarić, who heads FER’s Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI), provided a detailed overview of the institution’s current capabilities. The CAI operates as a massive collaborative hub, bringing together more than 100 researchers across 20 distinct laboratories. This scale of operation allows FER to apply artificial intelligence across a highly diverse range of disciplines.
Rather than focusing on a single niche, the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing integrates AI into robotics, information security, cybersecurity, signal and image processing, financial analytics, and bioinformatics. This broad application ensures that graduates and researchers are not siloed but are instead equipped to apply machine learning and AI methodologies across various sectors of the economy.
Prof. Lončarić emphasized the critical link between academic research and economic necessity. Croatia requires highly educated professionals capable of leading the development of innovative products for the global market. To address this, FER involves young researchers in a large number of European and national projects. Through the CAI, doctoral students have the opportunity to earn their PhDs by directly developing the latest AI application methods. This hands-on approach to advanced education is designed to build a workforce that can immediately contribute to high-value industrial output.
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Evaluating Italy’s Strategic Investments and AI Infrastructure
While Croatia builds its research competencies, Italy has recently made aggressive, targeted investments to solidify its position as an AI leader within the European Union. H.E. Paolo Trichilo, the Ambassador of Italy to the Republic of Croatia, outlined the structural changes and financial commitments that have driven this progress. Notably, Italy became the first country in the EU to implement a comprehensive national AI law designed to work in tandem with broader EU legislation.
A central pillar of Italy’s strategy is the FAIR foundation, an expansive network that includes 14 universities, four research centers, seven large companies, and over one hundred additional enterprises and public administrations. This foundation creates a direct pipeline for theoretical research to be tested and implemented in real-world industrial and public settings.
The economic metrics shared by Ambassador Trichilo illustrate the results of these policies. By 2026, an estimated 48 percent of Italians utilize AI tools, and the national AI market has reached a total value of €1.2 billion. At the industrial level, 16.4 percent of Italian companies have already integrated AI solutions into their operations. The city of Turin serves as a prime example of this industrial integration, operating as a major ICT hub with 7,600 companies and 39,000 ICT professionals.
Furthermore, Italy has invested heavily in the physical infrastructure required for advanced AI model training. The country currently hosts 18 supercomputers ranked among the top 500 globally, making it the fourth most powerful country in the world in terms of installed computing capacity. For AI researchers, access to this level of computational power is a decisive factor in the speed and quality of research developments.
Bridging the Infrastructure Gap
The contrast between Italy’s supercomputing capacity and Croatia’s research focus presents a clear opportunity for synergy. Croatian researchers developing novel algorithms can benefit from Italian computational infrastructure, while Italian industries can leverage the specialized, niche AI models developed at institutions like FER and the Ruđer Bošković Institute.
Integrating AI Across Scientific Disciplines in Croatia
The application of AI cannot be confined to computer science departments alone. Mateja Tolj, Head of the Department for Programming and Implementation of EU Programs and Projects within the Directorate for Science and Technology at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary integration. By applying AI across different scientific fields—such as medicine, agriculture, and engineering—and combining the resulting insights, Europe can significantly strengthen its global position in the sector.
Tolj highlighted that technological progress and innovation are primary drivers of global connectivity and economic growth. More importantly, the strategic deployment of AI can help reduce inequalities across various dimensions of society while simultaneously strengthening education and skill sets. The Ministry’s perspective reinforces the idea that AI policy must be viewed holistically, balancing technological advancement with social responsibility and workforce development.
To achieve this, Tolj noted that bringing together perspectives from science, industry, and public policy is essential. This tripartite approach provides a realistic assessment of AI’s current capabilities, helps identify and overcome existing limitations, and ultimately enhances Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Historical Context and Long-Term AI Application at the Ruđer Bošković Institute
While much of the current public discourse treats AI as a sudden breakthrough, the reality within the scientific community is far different. Dr. Ivanka Jerić, Assistant Director of the Ruđer Bošković Institute, pointed out that artificial intelligence has been utilized as a research tool at the Institute for over 25 years. This long-term perspective is vital for cutting through the current hype.
At the Ruđer Bošković Institute, AI is actively used for automated searches of scientific literature in biomedicine, the analysis of complex medical images, and environmental protection modeling. The Institute is currently focused on building a comprehensive system of knowledge and infrastructure for AI. Dr. Jerić accurately described the current state of the field as standing at a crossroads—caught between high public expectations on one side and numerous unanswered technical and ethical questions on the other.
Conferences and panel discussions, according to Dr. Jerić, play a crucial role in grounding the conversation. By focusing on what AI truly is and defining what it can realistically achieve in the future, the scientific community can better direct funding and research efforts toward solvable problems rather than speculative fiction.
Fostering Cross-Border Cooperation for Future Research Developments
The overarching message of the panel was the necessity of stronger bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Italy. The ties between the two nations are already tangible. At the Ruđer Bošković Institute, cooperation with Italian partners manifests through joint research projects and researcher mobility. These connections are heavily supported by European frameworks, specifically the Horizon Europe program and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which facilitate the movement of scientists between Italian institutions and Croatian research centers.
This cross-border cooperation extends beyond simple data sharing. It involves the co-development of AI infrastructure, joint supervision of doctoral candidates, and the harmonization of regulatory approaches to ensure that AI developed in the region adheres to both national laws and EU-wide standards. Italy’s contribution, grounded in strong theoretical foundations and a rapidly growing commercial ecosystem, naturally complements Croatia’s highly specialized research competencies.
Together, these efforts contribute to a shared European vision: the development of artificial intelligence that is trustworthy, sustainable, and firmly rooted in scientific evidence. For the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, maintaining and expanding these international partnerships remains a top priority for sustaining long-term AI innovation.
Have questions about international research collaborations? Write to us to learn how you can participate in cross-border AI initiatives.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring AI Professionals and Policymakers
The insights from the “AI Beyond the Hype” panel offer several actionable lessons for those looking to build a career in artificial intelligence or shape the policies governing it:
- Seek Specialization within Broad Applications: As demonstrated by FER’s Center for Artificial Intelligence, expertise in AI is most valuable when applied to specific, high-impact domains like cybersecurity, bioinformatics, or robotics.
- Understand the Infrastructure Requirements: Algorithmic knowledge alone is insufficient. AI innovation is increasingly dependent on access to high-performance computing infrastructure, such as the supercomputers available in Italy.
- Engage with Cross-Border Programs: Funding and career advancement in AI research heavily rely on European programs like Horizon and Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Aspiring researchers should actively seek out institutions that participate in these networks.
- Maintain Realistic Expectations: Learning from the 25-year history of AI application at the Ruđer Bošković Institute, professionals must separate hype from reality, focusing on solving concrete, measurable problems.
The trajectory of AI innovation in Croatia relies on continuous investment in education, strategic international cooperation, and a clear-eyed view of the technology’s limits. The University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing stands at the center of this effort, preparing the experts who will drive the next wave of research developments.
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