The curtain falls on the European Adra-e project!

In a world where artificial intelligence, data and robotics are now strategic tools at the heart of our daily lives and geopolitical issues, the European Union, as a player in these technological fields, must ensure that it remains competitive and innovative. It is in this context that the Adra-e project has emerged.

Launched on 1 July 2022, Adra-e is a coordination and support action funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe (Pillar 2, Cluster 4). It has been implemented by a consortium of thirteen partners from the worlds of research, industry and experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, data and robotics (ADR).

The mission of the Adra-e project is to actively support the European public/private partnership for artificial intelligence, data and robotics (ADR) with the Adra association representing the private sector and the European Commission representing the public sector.
The project thus aimed to engage in inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders in the ecosystem, promoting cross-border and cross-sector collaboration. The main objective was to create the conditions for a sustainable, efficient and coherent European ecosystem structured around AI, data and robotics.

Adra-e was developed in close collaboration with the Adra association, which was founded in 2021 by BDVA, CAIRNE (formerly CLAIRE), ELLIS, EurAI and euRobotics to respond in particular to the needs identified in the first publication of the SRIDA (Strategic Research and Innovation Development Agenda).

The Adra-e project was the operational arm of Adra, taking concrete action to strengthen convergence and interoperability between the communities and disciplines concerned, which were very heterogeneous and dispersed at the start of the project. Adra-e thus worked to develop an ambitious European technological ecosystem, serving innovation and preserving the interests of citizens.

The Adra-e project originated with the publication of the strategy for AI in Europe in the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence: A European Approach to Excellence and Trust published by the European Commission in February 2020. Inria was perfectly in tune with this approach, which was aligned with its institutional activities, particularly as the entity responsible for the research component of France's national AI strategy, and after being identified as one of the three centres of expertise for the GPAI initiative launched by the OECD in 2020. According to Inria, the main challenge for the European AI strategy was to create the critical mass needed to develop an ecosystem of trust and excellence, and the partnership was and remains ideally placed to meet this multifaceted challenge.

Thanks to institutional support, the expertise of the partners, and in connection with the beginnings of what would become Adra, the Adra-e proposal was submitted and accepted by the EC the following year. As an institute, Inria's expertise, organisation and diplomacy in the fields of AI, data and robotics, as well as its commitment at the highest level to supporting the growth of the partnership so that it meets the expectations of the European scientific and industrial communities, were key factors in the success of the project.

Whether in terms of collaboration between partners, the organisation of Adra-e events, legal and financial issues, the management of deliverables or, more generally, the coordination of the project, Inria members carried out their tasks throughout the project.

The coordination team at Inria consisted of:

•  Marc Schoenauer, Senior researcher (now emeritus) at Inria in the field of AI, scientific coordinator of the Adra-e project
• Joost Geurts, Deputy Director for European Partnerships (DPE), Technical Coordinator of the Adra-e Project
• Elizabeth El Haddad, European Affairs Officer at the DPE, Adra-e Project Coordinator
• Viviane Habert, Head of the European and International Law Department (DAJ), Adra-e Project Coordinator

To achieve its objectives, Adra-e has launched a series of strategic initiatives. Whether in the form of services, events, or meetings, these actions serve as levers to strengthen and solidify the European technology ecosystem. The main results at the end of the project can be classified into eight main outputs, which will be continued by Adra:

• SRIDA (Strategic Research and Innovation Development Agenda) methodology: a strategic process for regularly updating the SRIDA, highlighting research and innovation priorities in the field of ADR.
• Alumni Program: community of former project participants and experts aimed at fostering ongoing engagement
• Events focused on partnership and community building: flagship events such as the AI, Data and Robotics Forum (ADRF), FutureReady workshops, the European Convergence Summit (ECS), and launch events showcasing the future of innovation in AI, Data, and Robotics.
• ADR ecosystem mapping: a dynamic visualization tool for identifying stakeholders and trends in the ADR ecosystem
• AI Trust Label: certification framework for reliable AI systems, compliant with European AI legislation
• Standardization strategy: tools and support for compliance with European AI regulations
• Communication tools: ADRA's digital communication resources, including websites, newsletters, and CRM tools
• ADR Awareness Center for Education and Outreach: platform for promoting reliable ADR technologies and educating stakeholders

Adra-e has adopted a holistic approach to establish the right conditions for building an effective and connected European ecosystem. At the end of the project, the main areas of impact can be classified into the following categories:

• Convergence between communities (AI, data, and robotics, as well as industrial, academic, and political stakeholders) through instruments such as the SRIDA methodology and flagship events. ADR stakeholders, who were initially very scattered, now recognize themselves under the ADR banner.
• Positioning of ADRA as a central entity within the European ADR ecosystem, helping the association to reach new members and energize the wider community around the partnership's objectives.
• Contribution to strengthening knowledge sharing, supporting policy alignment, and laying the foundations for the adoption of trustworthy AI in Europe
• Guidance provided for ADR research and innovation in thematic areas such as manufacturing and robotics, CO2 emission reduction, and resilience to crises (political, climatic, energy, etc.)
• Creation of permanent channels of collaboration with a number of initiatives, organizations, and communities at the European, national, regional, and local levels, enabling the identification of priority directions for research and innovation in related fields
• Finally, Adra-e's sustainability strategy, through the transfer of key results to Adra, which will integrate them into its activities, ensures long-term impact through stakeholder engagement and alignment with EU policy objectives.

The Adra-e project has succeeded in laying the foundations for a sustainable and comprehensive European ecosystem in the field of ADR, with a clear focus on long-term impact. The project's results were designed not only to stimulate immediate innovation, but also to ensure the continuity of its actions well beyond its conclusion. By emphasizing inclusiveness and community engagement, the project's sustainability was reinforced. By promoting collaboration between large and small industries on the one hand, and academia on the other, and by creating a strong network of stakeholders, Adra-e has contributed to guidelines for future growth and impact in an increasingly competitive world, in the field of ADR as in many others today.

As a member of the Adra association, Inria will continue to maintain its strategic and privileged relationship with Adra by contributing to Topic Groups (interest groups), including SRIDA, GenAI for robotics, etc., by providing “Silver Sponsor” support at ADRF on September 23 and 24, 2025, in Stavanger, and by continuing its involvement in the partnership's research and innovation projects.

• Adra-e Project
• Adra association
• The beginnings of the Adra-e project
• Horizon Europe