On 25 June, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the initiative promoted by the Ministry of Education and Science to provide state budget co-financing for the project “Artificial Intelligence Factory Antenna – Latvia”. With the implementation of the project, Latvia will be able to participate in the competition announced by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) and move towards establishing a national artificial intelligence (AI) competence centre.
The project application to the European Union (EU) digital infrastructure programme EuroHPC will be submitted by 9 July 2025. If the project is approved at the European level, its implementation is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The project will be implemented for three years, namely until December 2028.
AI is currently one of the strongest technological drivers that is significantly transforming the operating models of the economy, society and public administration worldwide. The project aims to create a long-term and internationally integrated AI Competence Centre in Latvia, the so-called “factory antenna”, which will facilitate developing and implementing AI solutions in both business and public administration. It is planned to provide access to high-performance computing infrastructure and create a modern support system for research, innovation and strengthening digital competence.
Minister of Education and Science Dace Melbārde points out: "To provide opportunities for the practical use of artificial intelligence to society, Latvia must join the EU and the global trend in developing artificial intelligence solutions. We must strengthen our capacity by developing human capital, technology, and digital literacy to promote the region's economic growth, innovation development, the creation of new companies, and product development. We are creating a solid foundation for developing research and innovation, and establishing an artificial intelligence competence centre is a strategic step in this direction."
The initiative is implemented by Riga Technical University (RTU) in cooperation with partners – the University of Latvia, the Cultural Information Systems Centre, the State Digital Development Agency, the Artificial Intelligence Centre, the Latvian Information Technology Cluster and the Latvian Association of Artificial Intelligence.
"The advent of artificial intelligence is transforming various areas, including research, education and the business environment. One of Europe’s priorities is to develop supercomputer infrastructure, ensuring uniform synchronisation between member states. This would also contribute to the preservation of Latvian and other small EU languages, strengthen cybersecurity, for example, by creating a safe testing environment for the country’s digital systems with simulations and digital twin technologies," emphasises RTU Rector Tālis Juhna.
"Artificial Intelligence Factory Antenna – Latvia" will significantly contribute to the country’s technological independence and innovation development. The planned centre will provide access to high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities, AI-optimised tools and specialist support. The project is designed so that Latvia does not have to make considerable investments in the acquisition of supercomputers while at the same time ensuring the necessary capacities.
AI solutions will be developed in five thematic areas: healthcare, cybersecurity, language and culture, industrial automation, and quantum technologies.
The planned total project budget is 8.4 million euros, of which the Latvian state budget co-financing will reach almost 4 million euros. The project also plans to receive private co-financing in the amount of 220,000 EUR. The EU part of the project funding, in the amount of 4.2 million euros, is planned to be attracted from the Horizon Europe program in the EuroHPC project competition.
