Interreg BOOST AI
Boost AI is a transnational Interreg North-West Europe project that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the safe, responsible and practical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What is Boost AI?
Boost AI is a transnational Interreg North-West Europe project that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the safe, responsible and practical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
While AI technologies are rapidly transforming industries, many SMEs, particularly those located in rural or “hinterland” regions, face barriers to adopting these technologies. These barriers include limited access to expertise, lack of practical tools, and uncertainty around regulations and risks.
Boost AI aims to address these challenges by helping SMEs build AI capacity, reduce digital inequalities and adopt AI in a responsible and compliant way.
Through a combination of practical tools, training programmes and policy development, the project supports SMEs and regional stakeholders in strengthening their digital capabilities and preparing for the opportunities and challenges of AI.
What are the objectives?
Boost AI focuses on strengthening the ability of SMEs and regional ecosystems to adopt AI effectively and responsibly. The project aims to:
- Strengthen regional and transnational AI strategies and action plans.
- Strengthen AI capacity and resilience of small SMEs;
- Reduce digital and regional AI gaps across North-West Europe;
- Support SMEs in the safe, compliant and responsible use of AI, including alignment with the EU AI Act;
- Develop and implement a shared AI Toolkit with practical tools for SMEs;
- Provide training for SMEs, business support organisations (BSOs) and local authorities;
Which activities are done?
To achieve these goals, Boost AI combines practical support for SMEs with strategic collaboration between regions. Key project activities include:
- Development of one shared AI Toolkit consisting of four toolsets:
- AI self-assessment tools
- AI literacy tools
- AI risk and compliance tools
- AI competitiveness tools
- Implementation of four pilot actions in different regions across North-West Europe,
- Direct support for 120 small SMEs,
- Organisation of AI training programmes, &
- Development of one transnational AI strategy and one regional action plan to stimulate AI adoption.
What is the AI Toolkit?
A central output of the project is the development of a shared AI Toolkit, designed to help SMEs better understand and implement AI.
The toolkit will support companies in:
- Assessing their AI readiness
- Improving AI literacy and knowledge
- Understanding AI risks and compliance requirements
- Strengthening competitiveness through AI adoption
The toolkit will be tested and refined through the project’s regional pilot actions to ensure it meets the real needs of SMEs.
Our role as Interreg’s BOOST AI Partner
Within the Boost AI project, JADS MKB Datalab plays a key role in the development of practical tools for SMEs. These tools focus on helping SMEs: Perform AI self-assessments, understand how AI can improve competitiveness, increase AI literacy, and navigate AI risks and regulatory compliance. By translating complex AI concepts into accessible tools and guidance, JADS MKB Datalab helps SMEs take concrete steps toward responsible AI adoption.