Retinal disease is the leading cause of visual injury in industrialised countries and a growing public health concern. Performing surgical actions directly at the retina with ultra-thin microsurgical instruments and with a limited view is a very challenging issue that requires highly trained and experienced surgeons. The EU-funded GEYEDANCE project will introduce Artificial Intelligence methods into surgical robotics in order to deliver advanced user support and to reduce the mental and physical load of the surgeon. GEYEDANCE will generate tangible and "close-to-certification" technology and will perform a first clinical trial. Ultimately, GEYEDANCE will help retinal surgeons to optimize their task and contribute to better surgical outcomes for the benefit of future patients