Key takeaway from the 2025 European Convergence Summit on AI, Data and Robotics and resilience of European Economy
This document is one of the results of the ADRA-e project that received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under grant agreement 101070336.
The ECS is designed to benefit ADRA, developing a new approach of work in innovation and research in AI, big data and robotics.
The ECS highlights how AI, big data, and robotics (ADR) research and innovation stakeholders can address a key socioeconomic challenge facing Europe and propose impactful solutions. In 2025, the ECS focused on exploring how AI, data, and robotics technologies can support resilience of European economy.
The outcome of this ECS and Key takeaways are summarized below*:
✅ "Why" European Research and Innovation in AI, Data and Robotics:
A fundamental question addressed was the purpose and motivation behind Europe's investment in research and innovation in AI, AI, Data and Robotics. The speakers emphasised the importance of establishing both the necessary "infrastructure in place" and ensuring the availability of "data fit to destinations." This suggests a focus not only on technical foundations but also on data sovereignty and control within Europe.
✅ Focus on Practical Application and Competitive Advantage:
The summit aimed to move beyond theoretical discussions and explore the practical application of technological solutions. A key question posed was "which of those solutions are available and do they really bring competitive advantages to the companies." This highlights a desire to translate research into tangible benefits for European businesses and industries.
✅ Future-Oriented Strategy and Moving Beyond Catch-Up:
A strong emphasis was placed on the need for Europe to be proactive and forward-looking in its technological development. The speaker states, "we need to be more focused on the future rather than trying to catch up with our competitors." This reflects an ambition to lead in certain technological domains rather than simply follow trends set elsewhere.
✅ Convergence of Advanced Technologies for Defence:
The application of advanced manufacturing technology within the defence context was specifically mentioned. This indicates a focus on leveraging technological advancements, including those in AI and data, to enhance European defence capabilities.
✅ The Criticality of High-Quality Data:
The importance of data quality was explicitly linked to the quality of ADR systems. The statement "it's going to be data of high quality it means that AI will be also of quite high quality" underscores the fundamental role of robust and reliable data in achieving effective and trustworthy AI.
✅ Building Resilient Systems with Technology:
A significant theme was the use of AI, data, and robotics to construct resilient systems across various sectors. The specific mention of "healthcare systems across Europe" provides a concrete example of the application of these technologies to enhance resilience in critical areas.
✅ Navigating Global Turbulence:
The current global environment, described as "all these turbulences going on around us," was acknowledged as a factor creating confusion and uncertainty about the best path forward. This highlights the external pressures and complexities that influence Europe's technological strategy.
✅ Pathways to Harnessing Research: Dialogue, Collaboration, and Interoperability:
The concluding statement of the summit offers a clear direction for leveraging research in AI, robotics, and data. The conclusion is that to achieve this, Europe should invest in:
- "A sustained dialogue": Emphasizing the need for ongoing communication and exchange of ideas.
- "In a cross- sectoral collaboration": Highlighting the importance of collaboration between different industries and domains.
- "In an interoperable ecosystem": Stressing the necessity of systems and technologies that can work together seamlessly.
- These efforts are explicitly stated as being "all rooted in shared values in Europe." This underscores the intention to develop and deploy technology in a consistent manner with European ethical and societal principles.
The European Convergence Summit - 2025 Edition provided a platform for discussing Europe's strategic direction in AI, data, and robotics. The key takeaways point towards a future-oriented approach focused on practical applications, competitive advantages, and building resilient systems across various sectors. The emphasis on high-quality data, cross-sectoral collaboration, and an interoperable ecosystem, all grounded in shared European values, outlines a clear pathway for harnessing the potential of these technologies for the benefit of Europe. The acknowledgment of global turbulence highlights the challenging context within which these ambitions are being pursued.
* Complete description of the ECS24 in the document “D4.2 Summit report 2025“ available at https://adr-association.eu/publications