From AI to Impact: EDIH 2.0 Exchange Budapest

​12 November 2026 – Optional Pre-Programme

​17:00 – BME Building Q – Field visit: guests go in two groups, with live demos (a ping-pong-playing robot, a mapping robot, a medical HoloLens AR demo), plus short talks from the research groups on how they use AI.

​19:00 – EDIH4MANU workshop at VígVarjú (Pesti Vigadó): EDIH4MANU is an open, informal network coordinated by the MADE Competence Center in Milan that connects manufacturing-focused European EDIHs so they can share knowledge, services and good practices. At the workshop we’ll sit down with them to discuss joint project ideas and opportunities for collaboration (Carlo Pace and Gianluca Melis from MADE will also attend).

​20:00–21:30 – Dinner & networking at the same venue: informal get-together with the international EDIHs ahead of the conference.

​13 November 2026 – Main Conference
Hybrid format · Moderator: Barnabás Málnay

​09:00 – Registration & coffee

​09:30 – Welcome address
Livio Rubino, Project Officer, European Commission

​09:40 – Opening & keynote: AI EDIH Hungary 2.0
Dr. László Gulyás, ELTE

​10:00 – AI for SMEs in 2027: What is actually worth paying attention to?
AI is moving fast, but most SMEs and public-sector organisations don’t have time to keep up with every new tool and headline. EDIH experts who work with SMEs and PSOs every day will separate the trends that will really matter in 2027 from the hype, including the IT security risks that come with AI, and share practical next steps.
Panellists:

• ​Balázs Koltai – AI Expert, Head of Digital Transformation, Genezit Solutions

• ​Christina Todorova – ICT Cluster, Bulgaria

• ​Gianluca Melis – EDIH Lombardia, MADE Competence Center, Italy

​10:30 – Should We Fear AI? Beyond the Doomsday Headlines – A Reality Check
Short keynotes followed by a moderated Q&A. AI news is full of alarming headlines, while companies and decision-makers try to work out how seriously to take them. This session offers a sober, evidence-based picture: what the real risks are, what is exaggerated, and how to handle both responsibly.
Speaker:

• ​dr. Áron Badinszky, AI Commissioner, ELTE

• ​Ernő Rigó – Cybersecurity expert, HUN-REN SZTAKI

​Q&A moderator: Barnabás Málnay

​11:00 – Coffee break

​11:15 – AI TEF: Presentation on EDIH–TEF collaboration (online)
Thomas De Meester, imec · Oscar Valle Ballesteros, ITI

​11:30 – One Ecosystem, Many Doors: Navigating AI Support Opportunities
Roundtable discussion on the goals and target groups of EDIHs, AI Competence Centres, AI Factories and TEFs: where they overlap or diverge, and how an SME or PSO can move between them, from first advisory contact through skills-building and real-world testing to high-performance compute.
Moderator: Dr. László Gulyás, AI EDIH
Panellists:

• ​Merete Norby – ADDSMART EDIH, Denmark

• ​András Rusznyák – Coordinator, IVSZ AI Competence Center

• ​Prof. Róbert Lovas – HUN-REN SZTAKI, HunAIFA

• ​Carlo Pace – TEF & EDIH4MANU, Italy

​12:00 – What actually worked? Real AI journeys
Short case-study presentations and a Q&A with companies where AI is already creating tangible business value.

• ​Asen V. Asenov – Neting Kft.

• ​Simon György - NeoCon Kft.

• ​Dr. Zsolt Pászor / Bálint Bojtos – PREMET Kft.

• ​Katalin Szilágyi – AI EDIH Hungary: Support to find investment for AI projects

​13:00 – Networking lunch

​14:00 – AI EDIH Chatbot Demo
Dr. Gábor Vicze, Innomine
Followed by a client use case of the AI EDIH’s AI-based funding acquisition service: Gábor Déberling, CEO, Synermont Zrt.

​14:20 – Strategy of AI Technology Usage and AI-on-Demand for EDIHs
Roundtable discussion on how EDIHs can use AI strategically (AI-on-Demand platform), Europe’s place in the global AI landscape, and which AI tools EDIHs should prioritise when supporting businesses.
Moderator: Dr. Gábor Vicze, Innomine
Panellists:

• ​Prof. Géza Németh – BME, AI-on-Demand Platform expert

• ​Rauno Varblas – Head of AI, Tehnopol / AIRE EDIH, Estonia

• ​Kamar Aden Omar – EDIH Dortmund

​14:40 – Women in AI: How do we turn more women from AI users into AI leaders?
Roundtable discussion with role models and ecosystem leaders on the programmes, networks and opportunities that can boost women’s participation in AI, from mentoring and skills to entrepreneurship and leadership, and on what EDIHs can do to create lasting impact.
Moderator: Zsuzsa Várhalmi
Panellists:

• ​Ivett Angyal – 28Digital

• ​Dr. Zoltán Istenes – Associate Professor, ELTE Faculty of Informatics, AI & Robotics expert

• ​Dorka Balló – Executive Productivity Expert & AI Advisor, Co-founder of TenderAI

• ​Nina Heiler - Director of Technology, Accenture

​15:10 – Introduction: Sustainability Strategies for EDIHs
The different forms an EDIH can take after the project period, and the funding mechanisms available.
Maurits Butter, TNO – Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research

​15:40 – Sustainability of EDIHs – Does it work without EU funding?
Fireside discussion with European EDIHs on sustainable business models, funding approaches and attracting paying customers.

• ​Dr. Zsolt Viharos – HUN-REN SZTAKI

• ​Kert Kaljura,COO of AIRE – Estonian AI and Robotics Centre, TalTech

• ​Kristine Zunde - Latvian IT cluster/DIH

• ​Ákos Szépvölgyi - 28DIGITAL

​16:20 – Closing words

​16:30 – Networking