FAQs
Welcome to our FAQs section! Here, you will find clear and practical answers to the most common
questions about the AI-MATTERS Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for manufacturing, and the services we provide.
Whether you want to understand how AI-MATTERS supports innovation, learn about the resources and services available,
or explore how to access our facilities, this section will guide you through the essentials.
About Us
Who is AI-MATTERS for?
Technology companies that want to test their AI-technology solutions in a real-world manufacturing context, and mature / improve their solutions based on feedback.
Manufacturing companies to experiment with AI-technology solutions, evaluate suitability and potential impact of these technologies before factual investment and deployment.
Our focus is on start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs but large companies can also be involved.
What services does AI-MATTERS provide?
AI-MATTERS is the European Testing and Experimentation Facility to validate new AI technologies in manufacturing context.
Validate your latest technology solution in AI and robotics with access to our facilities and real-world manufacturing data, or learn how a new technology could be applied to address your interest – with potential financial aid.
AI-MATTERS provides access to:
- Real production environments and data
- Advanced infrastructure and expertise
- Proof-of-concept validation
- Financial support operations for experimentation
Do I need an existing AI solution to get started?
No; AI-MATTERS supports both:
- Companies that already have an AI solution and want to validate it
- Companies that want to explore how AI could solve a specific challenge
You can start with a problem, a use case, or an idea.
What are the benefits of working with AI-MATTERS?
We offer Testing and experimentation facilities and infrastructure to validate and demonstrate new technologies in a real manufacturing context.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities
- Collaboration with AI experts across Europe
- Reduced cost and risk of experimentation
- Faster innovation and implementation
AI-MATTERS helps companies experiment, validate, and adopt AI more confidently and efficiently.
How does collaboration with AI-MATTERS work?
The process typically includes:
- Define your challenge or use case
- Assess available data and systems
- Set up a test or experiment
- Run validation in a real environment
- Receive results and recommendations
This structured approach helps companies move from idea to validated solution.
How do I choose the right AI technology or partner for my use case?
We would very much like to help you find out, when you contact us either via the website, an event or personally, we help you identify the right AI technology for your use case and which partner has the right expertise.
Our Services
What services does AI-MATTERS provide?
AI-MATTERS provides testing and experimentation services that help companies validate, improve, and apply AI and robotics solutions in real manufacturing environments.
These services combine:
- Infrastructure (labs and facilities)
- Expertise (AI and manufacturing specialists)
- Data and use cases
- Collaborative experimentation
The goal is to help companies move from idea or prototype to validated, real-world solutions.
All of our services can be found in our Service Catalogue.
How can I test AI in my factory before investing?
AI-MATTERS allows companies to experiment with AI solutions in a controlled but realistic production environment.
This means you can:
- Test use cases with real data
- Evaluate impact on efficiency, quality, or downtime
- Make informed decisions before committing to implementation
How can I validate an AI solution before scaling it in production?
AI-MATTERS enables validation through structured experimentation in real-world manufacturing settings.
This includes:
- Testing performance under real conditions
- Evaluating integration with existing systems
- Assessing scalability, robustness, and compliance
This reduces the gap between prototype and deployment, which is a common challenge in manufacturing.
If you have an AI solution you are interested in validating before scaling in production, please contact us for a non-binding converstaion.
How can I integrate AI solutions with existing production systems?
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How can I prove that my AI solution works in industry?
Technology providers can use AI-MATTERS to:
- Test solutions with real manufacturing data
- Validate performance with end users
- Improve maturity (e.g., TRL progression)
- Generate proof-of-concept results
This helps demonstrate value to customers and accelerate market adoption.
How long does a service take?
The duration of services depends on the service, this can range from a few hours to a few months.
How can I book a service?
Our services can be browsed in the Service Catalogue on our website, however, not be booked.
We believe, given the complexity of the technologies and use cases, every request, technology and use case deserves in-depth attention. Therefore, if you are interested in one of our services or navigating the possibilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out via our Contact Page.
Investment & Contracts
What investment does an AI-MATTERS service require?
Given the wide range of services, suppliers (partners) and duration, there is no unambiguous answer. Furthermore, depending on the service, the cost of the service, the duration and eligibility of the company, entities can get financial aid in the form of discount.
In case your company is interested in one of our services or discussing your needs with AI, we are happy to schedule a non-binding conversation via our Contact Page.
How can I test AI in my factory without making a large investment upfront?
AI-MATTERS allows companies to experiment with AI solutions in a controlled but realistic production environment.
This means you can:
- Test use cases with real data
- Evaluate impact on efficiency, quality, or downtime
- Make informed decisions before committing to implementation
Is financial aid available for uptake of an AI-MATTERS service?
Depending on the service, the cost of the service, the duration and eligibility of the company, entities can get financial aid in the form of discount. Potential financial aid is, depending on elegibility, available for European Small- and Medium Enterprises, including startups.
In case your company is interested in one of our services or discussing your needs with AI, we are happy to schedule a non-binding conversation via our Contact Page.
What is the success rate?
The success rate of services depends on how we define success, when we set up a service. AI-MATTERS provides testing and experimentation services that help companies validate, improve, and apply AI and robotics solutions in real manufacturing environments.
Companies regularly come to us to test if a certain AI technology will work and scale in their environment, or if an AI technology can be validated in a manufacturing environment. Success can both look like a follow-up investment in the AI technology to implement and scale it, or to realise it is not validated and to withstain from further investment.
When discussing a service, we also discuss how success for the service is defined.
We are proud to mention that up until now, all of our clients have had successful results and are very content with the outcome.
Data, Security, IP & Results
What kind of results can I expect?
Depending on your use case, AI-MATTERS can deliver:
- Proof-of-concept reports
- Measurable improvements (efficiency, quality, downtime)
- Feedback from real users
- Recommendations for scaling and implementation
The goal is to reduce risk and uncertainty before investment.
Who owns the data used during AI-MATTERS experiments?
Companies participating in AI-MATTERS retain ownership and control over their data. Data ownership means you decide how your data is accessed, used, and shared, ensuring it remains under your control throughout the experimentation process.
AI-MATTERS operates under structured data governance frameworks, ensuring transparency, proper handling, and clear agreements on data usage.
How is my data protected during AI-MATTERS services?
AI-MATTERS follows strict data management and security practices, including:
- Secure data handling and storage
- Controlled access to datasets
- Compliance with European data protection standards
- Clear policies on data reuse and sharing
Experiments are conducted in controlled environments, ensuring that sensitive industrial data is protected while still enabling meaningful testing.
What happens to my intellectual property (IP) when working with AI-MATTERS?
AI-MATTERS ensures that intellectual property rights are clearly defined and protected throughout the collaboration.
- Companies retain ownership of their technologies, models, and data
- Any jointly developed results are governed by agreed terms
- IP protection is built into the collaboration framework
The specific details about how IP will be handled in an AI-MATTERS service is included in the contract of the service.
Can I safely test AI without risking my operations or production systems?
Yes, AI-MATTERS provides controlled testing environments that replicate real production conditions without disrupting your operations.
This allows you to:
- Test safely before deployment
- Identify risks early
- Validate performance under realistic conditions
Locations and Travel
Where are AI-MATTERS facilities located?
AI-MATTERS operates a network of testing and experimentation facilities across eight European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Greece.
These facilities (also called “nodes”) provide access to real manufacturing environments where companies can test and validate AI solutions.
Do I need to travel to use AI-MATTERS services?
Usually not, many services can be delivered partially remotely, especially for data analysis or early-stage experimentation. However, for testing in real production environments or using specific infrastructure, on-site collaboration at one of the European facilities may be required.
Because AI-MATTERS spans multiple countries across Europe, there is often a facility relatively close to your region or within practical travel distance. In addition, the network connects multiple partners, allowing companies to benefit from shared expertise across locations, not just one site.
Can I choose which AI-MATTERS location to work with?
Yes. AI-MATTERS is a distributed European network, and companies are matched with the most relevant facility based on their use case, technology, and sector.
You don’t need to select a location yourself: the consortium helps identify the best-fit node and expertise for your project. These facilities (also called “nodes”) provide access to real manufacturing environments where companies can test and validate AI solutions.
Governance
How is AI-MATTERS structured?
AI-MATTERS is a network of seven nodes and one satellite – eight countries – aiming at increasing the resilience and the flexibility of the European manufacturing sector through the deployment of the latest developments in AI and robotics, and intelligent, autonomous systems for flexible production.
AI-MATTERS is one of the 4 sectorial TEFs launched by the Digital Europe programme. All consortium members bring their expertise in manufacturing for different sectors such as automotive, space and mobility, textile, recycling, etc.
The governance structure of AI-MATTERS comprises the following bodies:
- The General Assembly (GA; referred to in the Consortium Agreement as a Programme Steering Committee)
- The Executive Board
- The National Co-Funding Committee (NCFC)
- The Advisory board (AB)
- The Ethics Screening and Compliance Committee (ESCC) and Evaluation and Quality Assurance Committee (EQAC)
- Committees dedicated to particular Work packages
Would you like to discuss your use case with our project managers?
You can find more support by contacting us directly.
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