Fundación AI Granada Research & Innovation will host the official presentation of AIR-Andalusia on Friday, March 20, 2026, the European Digital Innovation Hub focused on Artificial Intelligence and Applied Robotics in Andalusia. The event will take place at the Foundation’s headquarters, located in the UGR AI Building (Avda. del Conocimiento, 37, Granada), and will bring together key representatives from institutions, academia, and the business ecosystem. A strategic initiative for AI in Andalusia AIR-Andalusia is a key initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies among companies—especially SMEs—by providing access to infrastructure, expertise, and specialised services in artificial intelligence and robotics. This presentation marks the official launch of the project in Granada, reinforcing the city’s role as a leading hub in the AI ecosystem. Event agenda The programme is as follows: Speakers: The event will be hosted by Roberto Álvarez Ollero, President of the Business Commission of the Foundation. Closing and networking The event will conclude with an official consortium group photo with authorities, followed by a networking session with a Spanish wine reception, encouraging connections among stakeholders. This event represents another step forward in positioning Granada and Andalusia as key players in technological innovation and artificial intelligence in Europe.

AIR-Andalusia to open its first call for services for SMEs, mid-caps and public entities in April 2026 Granada, 19 February 2026. – The UGR AI building hosted on 17 February the technical Kick-off Meeting of AIR-Andalusia, the Andalusian European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) specialised in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The project, coordinated by the AI Granada Research & Innovation Foundation, has a total budget exceeding €5 million and is co-funded at 50% by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme. The meeting brought together representatives from the 20 entities forming the consortium, marking the official start of an initiative that will run until January 2029 and aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Andalusia’s productive fabric, particularly SMEs, mid-caps and public administrations. Service launch in April 2026 One of the key milestones agreed during the meeting is that in April 2026 (Month 3 of the project) the official list of services and pricing will be validated, and the first call for the selection of companies and public entities wishing to join the hub will be launched. From that moment onwards, AIR-Andalusia will formally open access to its services, primarily targeting SMEs, small-caps and mid-caps, Andalusian public administrations and technology startups. The model includes five closed calls over the 36-month period, concentrating the strongest recruitment effort in the first phase in order to maximise the duration of support and the real impact on participating organisations. A strategic consortium for Andalusia AIR-Andalusia brings together universities, technology centres, science and technology parks, business associations and key actors from the Andalusian innovation ecosystem. The consortium is composed of AI Granada Research & Innovation Foundation (Coordinator), University of Granada, University of Málaga, University of Jaén, University of Córdoba, University of Huelva, AICIA, CETEMET, BIC EURONOVA, Innova IRV, Fidesol, Linares Chamber of Commerce, Málaga Tech Park, Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía (CTA), Confederation of Employers of Andalusia (CEA), OnTech Innovation, Health Technology Park (PTS), Andalusian Chambers of Commerce, Fundación Progreso y Salud and the Digital Agency of Andalusia. Specialised services to drive digital transformation AIR-Andalusia is conceived as a regional infrastructure supporting advanced digitalisation. Its operational model combines strategic diagnosis, expert guidance and impact measurement. Its main lines of action include: Expected impact until 2029 AIR-Andalusia has set ambitious objectives for the next three years, including supporting 1,330 entities in their digital transformation processes and providing direct assistance to more than 2,000 SMEs. The project will cover the entire Andalusian territory and aligns with the region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4Andalucía), prioritising sectors such as sustainable agri-food, smart industry, health and biotechnology, sustainable tourism, circular economy and renewable energy. Next steps Following this technical meeting, the consortium will hold the official public presentation of the project on 23 March before the Andalusian business and institutional ecosystem. All information regarding calls, services and access to the hub will be regularly updated on the official website:https://www.airandalusia.es/ About AIR-Andalusia AIR-Andalusia is the Andalusian European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) specialised in artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced digital technologies. It is designed to support SMEs, mid-caps and public entities in their digital transformation processes, enhancing their efficiency and competitiveness. AIR-Andalusia is part of the European Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) and has been awarded the European Commission’s Seal of Excellence, consolidating its position as a strategic digital innovation hub in Southern Europe. The project is co-funded at 50% by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme.

Coming soon: opening of access to services for SMEs and public entities Following the official start of its activities on 1 February, the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) AIR-Andalusia continues to progress through its launch phase with the publication of its official web platform and the activation of the project’s first organisational milestones. The new AIR-Andalusia website provides detailed information about the consortium of entities driving the hub, as well as the official catalogue of services, structured in accordance with the four pillars defined by the European Commission for European Digital Innovation Hubs: test before invest, skills and training, support to find financing, and innovation ecosystem and networking. AIR-Andalusia is coordinated by Fundación AI Granada Research & Innovation and involves the participation of 20 beneficiary entities from the academic, technological, business and institutional sectors, together with the Digital Agency of Andalusia as an associated partner, representing the Regional Government of Andalusia. As part of the project’s initial activities, the consortium will hold its official Kick-off Meeting on 17 February, during which the governance structure, work plans and execution timeline for the coming months will be validated. During this initial phase, AIR-Andalusia is focusing on the operational preparation of services, the design of access processes for SMEs and public administrations, and the deployment of the Single Access Point, which will serve as the main entry channel to the hub’s services. In line with the project timeline, the final service price list and detailed information on the first call for users are expected to be published in April 2026. Until then, the AIR-Andalusia website will be progressively updated with information on services, participating entities and upcoming project milestones. Interested organisations are invited to follow updates through the platform and contact the hub to receive further information. Upcoming milestones February 2026: Consortium Kick-off MeetingApril 2026: Publication of service prices and first user call

AIR-Andalusia will officially start its activities on 1 February 2026, beginning the delivery of services as a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) of reference in Andalusia in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced digital technologies. The project is implemented within the framework of the Digital Europe Programme and will run over a multiannual period, with an expected duration of three years, during which AIR-Andalusia will provide support services for the digital transformation of SMEs, mid-caps and public sector organisations. From the start of its operations, interested organisations will be able to access the hub’s services through its single access point, on an open and continuous basis, initiating a needs analysis and guidance process to identify the most suitable services. Throughout this period, AIR-Andalusia will support digital transformation processes through services related to: AIR-Andalusia is part of the European Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and has been awarded the Seal of Excellence by the European Commission, strengthening Andalusia’s position within the European digital innovation ecosystem. The hub will operate in close collaboration with universities, technology centres, companies and public sector bodies, contributing to the effective adoption of advanced digital technologies and to the strengthening of the Andalusian innovation ecosystem. AIR-Andalusia is currently in an initial start-up phase. Over the coming weeks, the website will be progressively updated with detailed information on the hub’s services, activities and upcoming developments. SMEs, public sector organisations and ecosystem stakeholders are invited to stay tuned for further updates and to contact AIR-Andalusia through the access point available on the website.

Order ICT/1296/2022, of 22 December, which establishes the regulatory bases for the granting of aid to small and medium-sized enterprises within the Support Program for Digital Innovation Hubs, has been published. The Ministry of Industry intends to support the innovation of small and medium-sized Spanish companies, providing them with access to services that promote innovation and digitalization in their businesses. These are AID IN SPECIES, which means that what is financed is the provision of services by entities belonging to the EDIHs or DIHs with the seal of Excellence, to the beneficiary SMEs. What kind of actions can SMEs apply for through this call for proposals? A. Do you need to improve your business? Do you need consulting on how to be more competitive and improve your business model through the use of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics or Disruptive Technologies? We offer you initial advice for the implementation of technologies. B. Do you develop applications in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics or Disruptive Technologies and need access to specialized testing and experimentation facilities? Do you need to perform a technical, commercial or social feasibility study of the results of your projects? We offer you testing and experimentation services, including technological proof of concept. C. Do you need to train your employees in the importance of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics or Disruptive Technologies? We offer you training for the acquisition of basic knowledge for the implementation and subsequent management of technology with the best experts in these areas at an international level. D. Do you need support in the sea of instruments, institutions, funding sources, etc. for the development of your business? We offer you advice in the search for funding for the implementation of technology by entities of the Andalusian ecosystem experts and key in these areas. E. Do you want to expand your business to other Spanish or international regions? We offer you support for access to innovation networks and ecosystems, putting in contact SMEs established in one region with EDIHs established in other regions for the development of joint initiatives and best practices. In any case, please note that: How to proceed? 1. Contact us and tell us which of the offered services your company needs. 2. We will make sure that some of our Hub’s partner contacts you in order to help you with yoyr needs for the development of a Customized Service Proposal 3. Once the services included in the Service Proposal have been completed, EDIH will issue an invoice for the amount of the services rendered, with the beneficiary paying only indirect taxes. You can consult all the information in: (in Spanish) Regulatory bases and call: Orden ICT/1296/2022, de 22 de diciembre, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras para la concesión de ayudas a pequeñas y medianas empresas dentro del Programa de Apoyo a los Digital Innovation Hubs, en el marco del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia, y se efectúa la primera convocatoria (BOE de 28/12/2022). Extract of the call: Extracto de la Orden ICT/1296/2022, de 22 de diciembre, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras para la concesión de ayudas a pequeñas y medianas empresas dentro del Programa de Apoyo a los Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIH), en el marco del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia (BOE de 29/12/2022).