On the Ardoyen campus of Ghent University (UGent), the foundation stone of ‘The Brain - AI Tech Hub Ghent’ has been laid. This is an ambitious project to put Flanders on the map as a leading region for artificial intelligence (AI). The Hub provides accommodation for more than 600 experts in AI and technology to work.
The Brain - AI Tech Hub Ghent is intended as an ecosystem where research, entrepreneurship and technological innovation reinforce each other. The tower with 20,000 square metres of office and research space is destined to become a European reference in digital innovation.
Incubator for AI applications
The intention is to set up an environment where companies, start-ups, scale-ups, students and research institutes can collaborate intensively around various AI applications. The focus is broad, from advanced medical imaging and industrial automation to smart mobility solutions and cyber security.
AI to power Flanders
As labour costs continue to rise, AI is becoming an essential factor to ensure Flanders remains competitive internationally. Smart technology allows companies to increase efficiency without sacrificing quality or employment. Flemish first minister Matthias Diependaele (nationalist N-VA) is keen to stress the strategic importance of the project: ‘Today, we are not only investing in infrastructure. We are investing in talent, innovativion and strategic autonomy.’
Ghent as a technological cluster
UGent rector Rik Van de Walle sees in ‘The Brain’ a ‘catalyst of European allure’ that aims to position the Ghent region at the absolute top of AI research and associated applications. Ghent alderman for economy Sofie Bracke underlines the logical choice of Ghent as a location, given its strong technological base, the talent present and its dynamic business world. ‘This project will only strengthen our city's technological cluster,’ Ms Bracke says.
Ghent's new AI Hub should look like this when completed.