International work that offers the opportunity to make an impact
Lund's participants in team-the event had some intense days in Thessaloniki where the partners discussed how they can create policies for open innovation ecosystems, where the cultural and creative industries (KNs) are not only included but also drive innovation. This was the fourth partner meeting of the project and the focus this time was on how KKN can be included in and drive innovation in the field of AI.
The project then also participated in the international tech event Beyond, which this time focused on the ongoing AI revolution. The ekip project had its own arrangement with a one-day program on AI and creative industries. Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth, CEO of Future by Lund and collaborator at Lund University's collaboration department, and Birgitta Persson, project manager at Future by Lund, participated in panels while Katarina Scott, project developer at Future by Lund, moderated two debates. As coordinator of EKIP, Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth participated in a High Level Forum on AI and Innovation as well as in Greek TV.
- The question I would answer in TV was why cultural and creative industries are included in the work with AI, she says. The answer is that in the classical innovation environment, technology development has been financed and then KKN has created the content of the technical solutions. Now the development in the field of AI is moving very fast and is gaining importance in all areas, including for content. It opens up technology development in symbiosis with content development where creators are also active in the development of technology. Therefore, the humanities, creative industries and content creators need to be broadly included in order to co-develop the field together with technology developers. For this, policies are needed and the purpose of ekip is to contribute to the construction of open innovation ecosystems that include more industries and broader groups of competencies.
Greece is unique in Europe with its AI approach that starts in philosophy so that humanistic aspects become a starting point for work.
- We see the need for a symbiosis of technology and the humanities being raised in many contexts and the EU recently agreed that the next Horizon Call must include the humanities, continues Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth. We can see that there is a shift going on in that many countries are putting in resources and trying to shape innovation support around KKN. It's exciting that this is being run in Europe and that we in Lund are part of it.
One idea that underpins Ekip is that policies are a tool for innovation. An example of how this works is developments in the fashion and textile industries.
- Three years ago, we found out that new laws are being pushed hard in the textile sector due to, among other things, overconsumption with climate impact and environmental degradation, says Katarina Scott. We then started working with the area and now that the industry is changing, we are prepared through a network of researchers and cooperation with companies and we are moving in step with the upcoming ventures. A work on new policies is a signal of a change, and when they are then adopted, they are usually combined with an effort. Then you have to be prepared and know how to work and with whom, especially in complex issues related to climate and the environment.
ekip is a policy platform with participants and specialists through 17 partners from all over Europe.
Why is it important to participate in international cooperation?
- Participating in such contexts is an opportunity to build Lund's international capacity. If you are involved at an early stage, you become part of the dialogue and the process and gain knowledge and insights. In this way, you go further than what you get in a report or newsletter afterwards, as you only become a recipient of the results,” says Katarina Scott.
How do you know when it's time to join?
- It is possible to see signals of what will happen and one such is to see where resources are being put within the EU but also nationally and regionally. Then one gets to choose the path, either consume the results or participate and influence. In the team, we also put the innovation models and methods, which is especially exciting,” concludes Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth.
team - European Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Policy Platform - is a Horizon Europe project aimed at supporting the development of policies that establish open innovation processes as the new standard. This initiative aims to ensure that support systems can cultivate the capacity to manage complex multi-stakeholder innovation processes, which is necessary to realise greater innovation in Europe's cultural and creative industries. These innovations will drive behavioural change towards a greener, more inclusive and more digital Europe.
The 17 partners in the team all contribute their own specific expertise to the innovation policy platform. The process of formulating policies can be compared to an engine where data is analyzed, prioritized and processed. Ekip will map and categorize about 100 areas and process at least 13 of them throughout the engine, creating recommendations.
More than 40 KKN networks and organizations across Europe are engaged in defining and providing data on ekip's selected areas. This initiative ensures that support systems develop a capacity to manage the complex multi-stakeholder innovation processes needed, both to realise more innovative cultural and creative industries in Europe and to drive the behavioural changes needed for a more green, inclusive and digital Europe.
