xTEF: TEFs full scale operation accelerates the AI and robotics uptake in Europe

A high-profile event showcases the impact of AgrifoodTEF, AI-Matters, TEF-Health, CitCom.AI, and CoordinaTEF.
The initiative provides real-world validation of AI and robotics solutions across key sectors, along with valuable networking opportunities with EU policymakers, investors, and industry leaders.
A dedicated exhibition of TEF services for SMEs and startups is also planned (October 1st all day; October 2nd until noon).

This third milestone, following the launch in Copenhagen (2023) and the presentation in Berlin (2024), demonstrates the growing value of TEFs in strengthening Europe’s leadership in AI.

Participants
The event is particularly aimed at SMEs and startups interested in discovering how TEFs can support their efforts to implement AI and robotics in real-world conditions. With the support of the European Commission’s AI Office, Member States (including MIMIT for Italy), and key ecosystem stakeholders, the initiative will help shape a future of safe, responsible, and high-impact AI in Europe.

Agenda

1 October 2025

A dynamic conference (Oct 1, 9:00–16:00) featuring:

• 8:30-8:55 Registration participants
• 9:00-9:10 Start of the conference and institutional welcome
  • Marco Taisch, President of MADE Competence Center and Full Professor – Politecnico Milano;
  • Alessandro Cimatti, Director of Digital Industry – Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK);
• 9:10-9:30 Introduction to European AI Office activities
  • Lucilla Sioli, Director – EU AI Office (from remote)
• 9:30-10:30 Presentation of Success Stories from 4 TEFs Coordinators and CoordinaTEF Intro
• 10:30 -11:00 Coffee Break
• 11:00-11:45
  “TEF-Multiplicators” on stage – Part I: Session on private domain’s interest for TEFs, introducing the perspective from investments funds, accelerators, big companies; introducing the market for AI and Robotics validation services.Moderator:
  • Francesco Matteucci, Senior Advisor on Innovation – Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK);

  Speakers:

  • Sebastiano Toffaletti, Secretary General – European DIGITAL SME Alliance;
  • Guus Keder, Founder – Bondo Foundation;
  • Nuno Serra, Executive Director – Food4Sustainability CoLAB;
• 11:45-12:30“TEF-Multiplicators” on stage – Part II: Session on public domain’s interest for TEFs, introducing the perspective from co-funding agencies from EU Member States, the rationale for supporting testing and validation of AI and Robotics solutions in agrifood, health, manufacturing and smart cities.Moderator:
  • Raffaele Giaffreda, agrifoodTEF Coordinator – Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK);

  Speakers:

  • Yohann Ralle, French National Coordinator of AI projects – French Ministry of Economy;
  • Pierre Gaillard, DeepGreen coordinator – CEA;
  • Federica Zanca, EIC Programme Manager for Medical Imaging and AI in Healthcare – EISMEA;
  • Matteo Risi, Director Osservatorio Smart City – Politecnico Milano;
• 12:30-13:30 Lunch Break
• 13:30-14:45 Other pieces of the EU AI Continent puzzle: Dataspaces, AI Factories, EDIHs, EiC: Presentations from leading European initiatives of instruments that are synergic with TEFs that contribute to the AI Continent Action Plan and more in general to innovation in Europe.Moderator:
  • Gian Mario Maggio, Chief Strategy Officer for European Affairs – Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK);

  Speakers:

  • Gaspard Demur, Deputy Head of Unit – European Commission – EU AI Office;
  • Hedy Karray, Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence – EISMEA;
  • Petra Dalunde, Co-Director Swedish AI Factory Mimer – Research Institutes of Sweden RISE;
  • Philip Piatkiewicz, Secretary General – Adra;
  • Jurgen Vangeyte, Scientific Director Agricultural Engineering – ILVO;
• 14:45-15:50 – “Airtime” to TEF Customers: detailed success stories of how Testing and Experimentation Facilities have been used during the first half od projects execution.
• 15:50 – CLOSE OF EVENT (transfer to exhibition space and coffee break at MADE)

After the event, from 16.00 to 18.00 there will be open access to the TEF exhibition space organised at nearby MADE Competence Center, where some of the 4 TEFs results and success stories will be showcased.

2 October 2025

The second day of the xTEF event is closed to the public and exclusively reserved for TEF participants only.

Parallel Sessions
TEF project members  will have the opportunity to engage in four thematic parallel sessions, each designed to foster interactive discussion and knowledge exchange.

• The sessions will run in two rounds:
  • Round 1: 09:00 – 10:30
  • Round 2: 11:00 – 12:30 (following a coffee break)

Each parallel session will be offered twice, giving all participants the chance to attend two different sessions over the course of the morning.

Assignments will be coordinated in advance to ensure balanced participation across the sessions.

Session I – Network the Networks

Strengthening TEF visibility and stakeholder engagement by sharing best practices, exploring synergies with EU-level initiatives, and identifying tools to enhance TEF recognition at the EU level.

Session II – From Vision to Value: Branding & Go-to-Market for TEFs

Advancing TEF resource sharing and capacity building through service catalogues, go-to-market strategies, and integration of TEF success stories into European AI platforms.

Session III – Navigating Compliance: Shaping TEFs Regulatory Readiness

Focusing on regulatory alignment, with discussions on AI Act challenges, potential cross-TEF compliance frameworks, and collaboration with AI regulatory sandboxes.

Session IV – Empowering TEFs: Unlocking Co-Funding Pathways for Innovation

Exploring strategies to improve TEFs’ access to national and EU co-funding schemes by identifying gaps, barriers, and common needs to support innovation.