AI-LEAP2

The AI-LEaP² (AI & Innovation for Local Economy and Public Policy) project addresses a shared challenge for the Canary Islands, Madeira and West Africa: promoting the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the competitiveness, digitalisation and innovation capacity of businesses and educational institutions. Many organisations in the region still lack specialist staff, training resources and collaborative structures to realise the potential of AI in strategic sectors such as the blue economy, agriculture, health, tourism and ICT.

The project aims to develop innovative AI-based solutions through applied research, while training educators, researchers and professionals to facilitate technology transfer to the productive sector. AI-LEaP² combines specialist training, educational laboratories, technology pilots and a transnational digital platform that will enable resource sharing and strengthen cooperation.

The results will benefit universities, vocational education and training centres, SMEs, clusters and public authorities, building the capacity to incorporate AI into products, services and processes. The transnational dimension is essential, enabling shared challenges to be addressed, solutions to be validated in different contexts and collaborative networks to be established. The project adds clear value by promoting innovation, talent and the sustainable use of emerging technologies throughout the MAC region and West Africa.

The initiative, led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), is co-funded by the Interreg MAC 2021–2027 Territorial Cooperation Programme, under Priority 1, “Smart MAC”, which aims to improve business competitiveness through innovative and smart economic transformation.

The Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), a public research, development and innovation centre attached to the Government of the Canary Islands’ Department of Universities, Science and Innovation, participates in the project as a partner.