Which support for Walloon companies interested in AI ?

Artificial intelligence enables businesses to improve their services, tools and processes.  It also helps ease decision making. To make this happen, DigitalWallonia4.ai offers an array of resources and support mechanisms available to all companies in Wallonia to support their digital transformation exploiting data and artificial intelligence.

It’s well-known that digital technologies are a strategic asset to maintain competitiveness and growth of companies. Digital transformation requires the use of software for many aspects of a company (such as accounting, project management, document management, website management and analysis, human resources management, Integrated enterprise management (ERP), logistics and inventory management, or customer and sales team management (CRM).

These tools all have one thing in common: they use companies business data. Today, this information heritage is still too often dispersed and remains under-exploited.

Artificial Intelligence technologies enable the analysis and enhancement of these data sources. To answer this challenge in a concrete way, DigitalWallonia4.ai presents some resources and fundings available to help Walloon companies in their digital transformation thanks to artificial intelligence.

The Start IA program is a subsidized program open on a continuous basis. It helps Walloon companies do a complete diagnosis of their AI maturity via a 40-hour coaching mission (about 3 to 5 days scattered over 2-3 months). This is the perfect opportunity to identify or confirm AI opportunities within your company and to perform a "data check". This program is designed for companies of all sizes and sectors. The mission is carried out by quality AI experts adapted to the company's activity. Registration takes only 10 minutes, and the cost is only 1500 euros thanks to a 3500 euros grant offered by the Agence du Numérique.  Submit an application here (Pages in French).

Tremplin IA is aimed at Walloon companies wishing to develop a proof of concept in artificial intelligence. It works as a call for projects (in general, 2 calls per year) where the beneficiary company submits its application in collaboration with a company providing AI services (Belgian or European). It finances 70% of 40,000 euros projects that last 6 months.  The 3rd call will come this autumn. Check out the winners of the last edition (French).

This new program was launched in early 2021. It consists of helping companies that have a mature solution with artificial intelligence and that want a support to facilitate the go-to-market of their AI project. Cap IA missions cover many needs such as fundraising, visibility, internationalization, etc. Find out more here about the first edition (French).

The SPW-Research is setting up support mechanisms to help companies and researchers collaborate.

From September 2021, a reform of the research subsidies will be applied. The aim is to provide project leaders with the best possible support for their projects, but also to support projects in the Strategic Innovation Areas (SIAs) of the S3. This support forms the Win4Research program. Check it out here (French).

A series of resources dedicated to AI awareness and continuing education are available:

Les carrefours de l’IA. These leading monthly webinars aim to highlight practical business use cases of AI and research findings. With between 100 and 300 registrants each month, this monthly online event is offered by DigitalWallonia4.ai, AI4Belgium, AWEX and TRAIL for the research component. (In French)

Elements of AI. An online course (theoretical and practical) of introduction to artificial intelligence aiming at demystifying and understanding the functioning of these technologies. Developed by the University of Helsinki and Reaktor, Elements of AI is a renowned European course supported by AI4Belgium and DigitalWallonia4.ai. It is free of charge and without pre-requisites. (Approx length: 20h)

AI in Business. A free online course developed by Agoria, with the support of DigitalWallonia4.ai, by and for Belgian companies. In less than 4 hours, this course will give you the basics of AI as well as business application cases of AI but also practical advice on how to start your project.

Sustainable AI in Business. A free and fun 1.5 hour online course that will give you an overview of the non-technical aspects of AI in business to facilitate the deployment of sustainable and responsible AI projects.

AI inspiration Sessions. One-hour inspiration sessions organized by Agoria for companies by companies.

NumérIA-Academy. A complete training program for companies spread over several days, ranging from awareness sessions to basic and advanced training. Organized by the consortium Technocité, Technifutur, Technobel and Technofutur TIC with the support of the DigitalWallonia4.ai program.

BeCode - AI Bootcamp. The AI Bootcamp is a free 7-month training course in AI, data and machine learning. At the end of this training, learners are qualified to monitor business activities, but also to anticipate business needs through data-driven recommendations and forecasts.