MIÐSTÖÐ STAFRÆNNAR NÝSKÖPUNAR

EDIH in Iceland

The European Digital Innovation Hub in Iceland is a part of a network consisting of more than 200 similar centers hubs of digital innovation throughout Europe. The project is partially financed by the European Union.

The goal of the project is to achieve the digital goals of the Digital Decade strategy for 2030. The focus is on building capacity and using advanced technologies in key sectors to accelerate the digital transformation within the member states of the European Union. The project effectively supports the digital capacity and transformation of SMEs and public institutions across the European Union.

EDIH-IS ensures that SMEs and public organizations benefit from digital growth opportunities. This initiative is part of broader European Union programs such as the Digital Europe Program and Horizon Europe. Programs aimed at strengthening Europe's global competitiveness through digital capabilities as well as accelerating the digital transformation of economies and societies by 2030.

Test before invest

EDIH gives companies the opportunity to experiment with advanced technologies before making large investments, thereby reducing risk and encouraging innovation.

The focus is on digital transformations in the field of artificial intelligence, supercomputers and computer security.

Education and training

Education and training to build capacity and leverage advanced technologies in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and cyber security for both the public and private sectors. The aim is to speed up the digital transformation locally and within the member states of the European Union.

Funding

Securing investment and accessing finance are vital to the growth of any SME.

Rannís provides comprehensive support in finding funding for digital projects.

Network

The center's network contributes to a strong ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship both domestically and abroad. Collaboration and networking between students, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Consulting

Consulting and support is the first step towards a successful digital transformation is to understand the opportunities and potential return on investment (ROI) that digital technology can bring to your business. You can test your ideas with the help of EDIH's services before investing heavily in it making sure it actually works.

The Hub provides access to services such as consulting and testing facilities, as well as support for finding investments, opportunities for collaboration and training to ensure that you are better equipped to meet digital challenges.

The project aims to give companies and public institutions access to technical expertise and experimental facilities in order to improve their processes, products and/or services with digital technology solutions. It helps companies respond to digital challenges and become more competitive.

PARTNERS

The Hub is a joint project of TTO Iceland, the University of Iceland, the University of Reykjavík, Origo, The National Research Center and Syndis. EDIH in Iceland combines national expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, high-performance computing, supercomputers and other digital technology solutions to promote Innovation in digitization in both the public and private sectors.

The role of RANNIS in EDIH-IS
RANNIS is the coordinator of the EDIH project as well as leading WP5 on Access to Finance. RANNIS fulfills that role by providing assistance and information about international and national funds, numerous opportunities and on further possibilities for cooperation within Europe. RANNIS also organizes regular workshops and lectures where attendees can learn more about various funding opportunities.

RANNIS oversees numerous EU cooperation programmes, i.e. Digital Europe, Horizon Europe and LIFE, as well as actively participating in EU partner networks such as the Enterprise Europe Network.

Auðna - TTO Iceland is the national office for knowledge and technology transfer in Iceland. Auðna assists the scientific community in delivering inventions and practical research results to society in the form of solutions that create value and thus increases the societal competitiveness.

Auðna is owned by all seven universities of Iceland, the University Hospital, the University of Iceland's Science Park, the Federation of Icelandic Industries, the Food Science and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Institude and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute.

The role of Auðna - TTO Iceland in EDIH-IS
Auðna is in charge of dissemination and networking for EDIH-IS.

Auðna's goal is to support the Icelandic scientific community with intellectual property protection, analysis of the market potentials and intellectual property landscape. Auðna connects inventions and upcoming innovation projects with investors and business life. Auðna also provides assistance in the formation of start-up companies. Auðna wants to promote increased societal impact and value creation of science and technology from the Icelandic scientific community, both in Iceland and around the world.

Reykjavik University is a vibrant, student-centered university with an international faculty and students originating from all over the world. The core activities of the university are teaching and research with strong ties with industry and society, emphasizing interdisciplinary work, international context, innovation and service excellence. The RU culture is crafted by personal relations and respect for society and the environment.

Reykjavik University has a strong commitment to excellence in research and teaching. The University's study programs are developed in collaboration with industry to ensure their relevance to the rapidly changing society.

The role of Reykjavík University in EDIH-IS
The Department of Computer Science in the School of Technology at Reykjavík University will establish a new 120 ECTS master´s degree in artificial intelligence, and vocational coursework offerings as part of the EDIH initiative. RU has already established new emphasis lines in cybersecurity (in collaboration with the University of Iceland) and artificial intelligence, (in collaboration with key industry partners) under the existing MSc in Computer Science.

The role of University of Iceland in EDIH-IS
The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) is participating in the project through its domain-specific Simulation and Data Labs (SimDataLabs) under the umbrella of the National Competence Center (NCC) for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Iceland (see ihpc.is). It provides HPC/AI skillsets and toolsets for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Industries, Public Sector Organizations (PSO), and academics. For example, NCC Iceland for HPC/AI enables faster machine/deep learning model training through HPC systems speed-up techniques. It allows better machine/deep learning model training through systematic hyper-parameter optimisation techniques based on HPC.

Other examples of support by NCC Iceland for HPC/AI include providing cost-free access for Research & Development to cutting-edge HPC systems of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (see here), establishing European Commission AI Factories (see here) enabled by HPC, or performing application enabling with local Icelandic HPC/AI infrastructure providers and cloud vendors.

Members of the NCC Iceland for HPC/AI also support interested stakeholders in successfully engaging in Horizon Europe projects (e.g., Horizon Europe project TrustLLM jointly obtained with SME Mideind).

NCC Iceland for HPC/AI is well embedded in a pan-European EuroHPC NCC for HPC/AI network (see here) and has served jointly with the European Digital Innovation Hub of Iceland (EDIH-IS) the needs of 20+ SMEs and five PSOs in the last years.

The role of Syndis in EDIH-IS
SYNDIS assesses the need for cyber security measures and also assists EDIH clients in the cyber security part of their solutions.

Research is central to Syndis' vision and is considered the core of innovative approaches that are provided to customers. Syndis develops its own technology and methodology to ensure the highest level of service for customers with high and demanding security needs.

Syndis regularly offers hackathon training on both used and independent products for organisational training as well as on two university courses (6 ETS courses) run by Syndis in collaboration with HR and HÍ. They also hold a cyber security competition called Gagnaglíman as well as training the Icelandic national team that competes in the European Cyber Security Challenge. Also, “Hack Iceland” is designed to be a crowded platform for fraud and vulnerability disclosure that will cover the entire Icelandic IT network and service environment.

Formal opening of EDIH-IS

April 21, 2023: opening of the center of digital innovation in Iceland

The official opening of the Center for Digital Innovation in Iceland (EDIH-IS) was on April 21, 2023. This spectacular event marked the beginning of a new era in digital innovation.