Summary Under the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), Lithuania, like all EU Member States, would be legally required to establish Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI (Article 5). These centres would not be created from scratch but would build upon existing European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). Their primary mission would be to accelerate the adoption of cloud and AI technologies for SMEs, small mid-caps (SMCs), and public sector bodies. They would act as regional gateways to the European AI ecosystem, connecting local organisations with European cloud and AI providers, while serving as a key implementation pillar of Lithuania's national cloud and AI strategy (Article 7).

Detail

The proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), COM(2026) 502 final, introduces a comprehensive framework to strengthen Europe's cloud and AI ecosystem. A central component of this framework is the creation of a distributed network of support structures at the national and regional levels. For Lithuania, this translates into a specific legal obligation to designate and empower Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI.

The Legal Mandate: Article 5

Article 5 of the CADA proposal explicitly mandates that "Each Member State shall establish Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI ('Centres for AI')." Crucially, the legislation does not require the creation of entirely new administrative bodies. Instead, it stipulates that these Centres "shall build on the European digital innovation hubs established under Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2021/694... and, where applicable, any successor entities established under Union law."

This means Lithuania would leverage its existing network of EDIHs, refocusing their capabilities to address the specific challenges and opportunities presented by the AI and cloud stack. The proposal aims to ensure that these Centres have "substantial overall autonomy as regards their organisation, composition and working methods," allowing them to adapt to local Lithuanian needs while adhering to Union-wide objectives.

Core Objectives and Tasks

The proposal outlines specific objectives and tasks for these Centres in Article 5(2) and 5(3), defining their role in the Lithuanian digital landscape:

  1. Strategic Integration and Scaling: The Centres would support the "integration and scaling-up of AI use cases in strategic industrial and public sectors." This involves helping Lithuanian industries move from pilot projects to full-scale deployment of AI solutions.
  2. Accelerating Adoption for Key Actors: A primary goal is to "accelerate the broad adoption of cloud and AI technologies at regional and local levels, notably for SMEs, SMCs and public sector bodies." This adoption is to be guided by the "AI first" principle, encouraging organisations to reflect on how AI can transform their business processes.
  3. Infrastructure Leverage: The Centres would "leverage relevant infrastructure to accelerate the development and fine-tuning of AI models and systems," ensuring that local entities have access to the necessary compute resources and testing environments.

To achieve these goals, Article 5(3) assigns specific operational tasks:

  • Connecting to European Providers: The Centres would help organisations "accelerate their digital transformation through access to and use of AI technologies, including by connecting organisations with European providers of cloud and AI technologies." This task is critical for CADA's broader objective of reducing dependence on non-EU providers and fostering a sovereign European cloud ecosystem.
  • Skills Development: They would ensure or provide access to "relevant upskilling and reskilling schemes, in close collaboration with the AI Skills Academy." This addresses the talent gap essential for AI adoption.
  • Knowledge Transfer: The Centres would facilitate the "transfer of expertise across regions," ensuring that best practices and technical knowledge flow freely within Lithuania and across the EU.
  • Supporting Innovation: They would support the "scaling-up of spin-offs and start-ups emerging from universities, incubators and other accelerators by facilitating access to clients, companies and organisations seeking specialised AI services."

The Network Effect and EU-Wide Cooperation

Article 5(6) establishes that a network of Centres for AI shall be created to "support collaboration and the exchange of best practices among Centres for AI." This network is designed to provide "specialised services across regions where the required skills or compute capacity are not available locally."

For Lithuania, this means that a public body or SME in a smaller municipality could access high-level AI expertise or specific compute resources hosted in another region of the country or even in another Member State, facilitated by the network. Furthermore, Article 5(7) requires cooperation with existing networks under other Union initiatives, including those in semiconductors and data, ensuring the Centres are integrated into the wider EU digital strategy.

Integration with Lithuania's National Strategy (Article 7)

The establishment of these Centres is not an isolated measure but is inextricably linked to Lithuania's broader strategic planning under Article 7.

Article 7 requires Member States to adopt a national cloud and AI strategy within one year of the Regulation's entry into force. This strategy must include specific measures to "accelerate the development and adoption of cloud and AI at national, regional and local level." Crucially, Article 7(2)(b) explicitly mandates that these strategies must include "measures to support the broad deployment and uptake of AI... including by supporting the Centres for AI referred to in Article 5 as entry points to the European AI innovation ecosystem."

Therefore, Lithuania's national strategy would serve as the roadmap for funding, governance, and operational priorities for these Centres. The strategy would also align with the Digital Decade targets, such as the goal for at least 75% of EU enterprises to adopt cloud computing services and AI.

What this means for you

For Lithuanian public-sector bodies, SMEs, SMCs, and start-ups, the proposed CADA framework transforms the role of these Centres from optional support hubs into essential infrastructure for digital transformation.

1. Your Primary Gateway to European Cloud and AI If you are a Lithuanian public body or a business seeking to adopt AI or cloud services, the Centres for AI would become your first point of contact. Their specific mandate to "connect organisations with European providers" means they would actively help you identify suppliers that meet CADA's emerging sovereignty and security standards (Union Assurance Levels). This is particularly valuable for public procurement, where CADA would increasingly require the use of sovereign cloud services.

2. A Dedicated Resource for SMEs and Start-ups For small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, the Centres would provide a lifeline to resources that might otherwise be out of reach. By facilitating access to clients and supporting the scaling of spin-offs, they would help Lithuanian innovators find markets for their AI solutions. The Centres would also assist in navigating the complex landscape of AI regulations, ensuring that your innovations are compliant and competitive.

3. Access to Skills and Training Adopting AI requires a workforce with the right skills. The Centres would provide direct access to upskilling and reskilling schemes, developed in collaboration with the EU's AI Skills Academy. This would help your organisation bridge the skills gap, ensuring your staff can effectively manage AI projects and understand the "AI first" principle.

4. Regional Equity and Access Whether your organisation is based in Vilnius, Kaunas, or a rural municipality, the network of Centres ensures that support is accessible. If local expertise is insufficient, the EU-wide network would allow you to tap into specialised services from other regions, ensuring that geographic location does not hinder your digital transformation.

5. Alignment with National Priorities As Lithuania develops its national cloud and AI strategy, these Centres will be central to its execution. Public bodies should monitor the development of this strategy, as it will detail how the Centres will be resourced and how they will integrate into the broader public sector digital agenda. Engaging with the Centres early would ensure your organisation is aligned with national priorities and eligible for potential support measures.

Common misconceptions

Misconception 1: Lithuania must build entirely new organisations from scratch. Reality: Article 5 explicitly states that the Centres "shall build on the European digital innovation hubs." They are an evolution of existing EDIHs, refocused on AI and cloud, rather than new administrative entities.

Misconception 2: These Centres are only for large corporations or tech giants. Reality: The proposal specifically highlights SMEs, small mid-caps (SMCs), and public sector bodies as the primary beneficiaries. Article 5(3)(d) explicitly mentions supporting "spin-offs and start-ups emerging from universities, incubators and other accelerators."

Misconception 3: The Centres are purely technical R&D labs. Reality: While they support the "development and fine-tuning of AI models," their role is broader. They facilitate digital transformation, provide upskilling, support procurement by connecting users with providers, and help with scaling and market access.

Misconception 4: Lithuania can operate these Centres in isolation from the rest of the EU. Reality: Article 5(6) mandates a network of Centres for AI across the Union. Lithuanian Centres must collaborate with others to exchange best practices and provide specialised services where local capacity is lacking.

Misconception 5: The Centres are separate from Lithuania's national strategy. Reality: Article 7 requires that national cloud and AI strategies explicitly include measures to support these Centres. They are defined as "entry points to the European AI innovation ecosystem" within the national strategy framework.

Official sources

Related

This is general information about a draft EU regulation, not legal advice.