NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA)

Date of latest update: 2026-03-11

Description

Description (EN):

The project addresses a key challenge in the Interreg Aurora area: how to introduce generative AI and machine learning into manufacturing MSMEs in a way that is practical, responsible and beneficial for both companies and workers. Many MSMEs lack the resources, expertise and confidence to adopt AI solutions, which risks widening the gap between early adopters and those left behind. By supporting MSMEs in Finland, Sweden and Norway in the target area, the project strengthens regional competitiveness and fosters sustainable industrial transformation. The focus is on developing reference solutions that are openly accessible and demonstrate how AI can be applied to optimize production, improve data usage and enable humanAI collaboration in automation processes. These solutions will not be company-specific but instead designed so that MSMEs across the Aurora region can use them as inspiration and practical guidance. Cross-border collaboration is essential, as each participating university brings unique expertise in AI, automation and industrial processes. By building on each others knowledge, the project develops joint methodologies and ensures results are relevant across borders. The involvement of MSMEs throughout the process guarantees that the solutions are grounded in real needs, while also encouraging companies to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation in a fast-developing technological landscape. Sustainability is embedded in all dimensions: environmentally, by promoting resource efficiency through smarter processes; socially, by ensuring AI adoption benefits workers and communities; and economically, by enhancing MSME competitiveness and resilience. The outcomes will live on beyond the project through teaching materials, case studies, lasting networks and openly available reference solutions that support ongoing digital transformation across the region.

Expected Achievements (EN):

We want to accelerate the adoption and practical use of artificial intelligence in MSMEs within industry across Northern Norway, Ostrobothnia and Västernorrland in Sweden within the Aurora area. The project will make AI understandable and accessible for management, engineers and factory workers alike, showing its value as a practical tool for competitiveness and innovation. By combining machine learning for structured data with generative AI for unstructured data, the project will demonstrate how these technologies complement each other in solving real industrial challenges. By the end of the project, SMEs will have concrete use cases, tested methods and increased competence at all organizational levels, supported by new cross-border tools for training and communication. The project will leave behind a stronger regional network and a foundation for long-term collaboration, positioning the participating areas as frontrunners in industrial AI adoption.

Project outputs: PSR01: 0 Website: https://www.interregaurora.eu

Thematic information

ICT and digital society SME and entrepreneurship Knowledge and technology transfer

Priority: (VI-A_S-FI-N_1) Smart and sustainable growth

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 010 Research and innovation activities in SMEs, including networking

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: UNIVERSITETET I TROMSØ - NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITET

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 970422528

Address: Lodve Langes gate 2, 8514 NARVIK, Norway

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 586 237.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 293 118.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 293 119.00

Lead Partner: Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1097805-3

Address: Runebergsgatan 8, FI-68600 Jakobstad, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 525 337.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 341 471.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 183 866.00

MITTUNIVERSITETET

Name: MITTUNIVERSITETET

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2021004524

Address: HOLMGATAN 10, 852 33 SUNDSVALL, Sweden

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 666 697.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 433 353.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 233 344.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

UNIVERSITETET I TROMSØ - NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITET

NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Partners and Projects info

Mittuniversitetet

NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Partners and Projects info

Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Project acronym: 20376734.0

Project ID: 20376734.0

Project start date: 2026-01-01

Project end date: 2028-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 192 034.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 774 824.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Finland, Jakobstad, Runebergsgatan 8, FI-68600

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA)

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2026-03-11

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

162 / 162 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

650 / 650 (100%)

Notes on the data

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NextIndustriAI - AI-powered workforce and industrial processes

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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