An artificial intelligence (AI) competence and technology center will be created in Lithuania - the so-called AI factory, which will create conditions for the development of this infrastructure.
The government approved such a proposal from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation on Wednesday, the ministry announced.
It is expected that the implementation of the 100 million euro project will create up to 2027 highly qualified jobs by the beginning of 500, and the long-term return to the state will significantly exceed the initial investment.
"The Artificial Intelligence Factory is a strategic step in creating an advanced and internationally competitive innovation ecosystem in Lithuania. This center would allow us not only to more quickly implement AI solutions in business and the public sector, but also to create hundreds of high-value-added jobs. This is an investment in the future of our country, which would pay off both economically and technologically," Minister Lukas Savickas said in a statement.
According to him, through cooperation between the public sector, business, and academia, AI solutions would not only be developed but also practically applied – from public services to the industrial or defense sectors.
According to the minister, in the event of a successful Lithuanian application, the value of the project could reach 100 million euros, most of which would be allocated to high-performance computing infrastructure.
It is also planned to invest in the engineering base and in attracting highly qualified specialists and their salaries. 50 percent of the project funds are planned to be attracted from the European Commission, and the rest would be made up of state (up to 50 million euros) and private business investments.
The author is Sniegė Balčiūnaitė
