Summary Under the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), Slovenia is required to establish Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI ("Centres for AI") as mandated by Article 5. These centres would build upon the existing network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to support the adoption of cloud and AI technologies by SMEs, small mid-caps (SMCs), and public sector bodies. Their primary role is to help these entities accelerate digital transformation, connect with European cloud and AI providers, and access upskilling opportunities. This infrastructure serves as the operational entry point for Slovenia's national cloud and AI strategy, linking local needs to the broader EU-wide network of innovation.

Detail

The Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), currently a proposal (COM(2026) 502 final), aims to strengthen the EU's cloud and AI ecosystem through a coordinated approach. A central pillar of this proposal is the creation of a support infrastructure to drive the adoption of these technologies across the Union. For Slovenia, as for all Member States, this infrastructure takes the form of Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI. These entities are designed to bridge the gap between advanced research and practical deployment, ensuring that Slovenian businesses and public bodies can leverage cutting-edge technologies while reducing dependencies on non-EU providers.

The Legal Basis: Article 5 of CADA

Article 5 of the proposed regulation explicitly mandates the establishment of these centres. It states: "Each Member State shall establish Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI ('Centres for AI'). Those Centres for AI 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 provision ensures that the new centres are not created from scratch but rather evolve from the existing European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). This continuity leverages established local expertise, physical infrastructure, and stakeholder networks already present in Slovenia. The proposal emphasizes that these centres must have "substantial overall autonomy as regards their organisation, composition and working methods," provided they comply with the regulation's objectives. This autonomy allows Slovenian authorities to tailor the centres to local economic needs while adhering to Union-wide standards.

Core Objectives and Tasks

The primary objective of the Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI in Slovenia is to act as regional and local accelerators for the uptake and deployment of AI, cloud computing, and other advanced technologies. According to Article 5(2), their specific objectives include:

  1. Supporting integration and scaling: Helping organizations integrate and scale up AI use cases in strategic industrial and public sectors.
  2. Accelerating broad adoption: Promoting the widespread adoption of cloud and AI technologies at regional and local levels, particularly for SMEs, small mid-caps (SMCs), and public sector bodies. This aligns with the "AI first" principle mentioned in the proposal's recitals.
  3. Leveraging infrastructure: Using relevant infrastructure to accelerate the development and fine-tuning of AI models and systems.

To achieve these objectives, Article 5(3) assigns specific tasks to the centres. These tasks are directly relevant to public-sector procurement officers, IT managers, and business leaders in Slovenia:

  • Digital Transformation Support: The centres are tasked with helping organizations accelerate their digital transformation. This includes connecting organizations with European providers of cloud and AI technologies. This is a key mechanism for reducing dependency on non-EU providers and fostering the European cloud ecosystem.
  • Upskilling and Reskilling: The centres must ensure or provide access to relevant upskilling and reskilling schemes. This is to be done in close collaboration with the AI Skills Academy, ensuring that workforce capabilities keep pace with technological adoption.
  • Expertise Transfer: They facilitate the transfer of expertise across regions, ensuring that best practices and technical knowledge are shared effectively.
  • Startup and Spin-off Support: The centres support the scaling-up of spin-offs and start-ups emerging from universities, incubators, and other accelerators. They facilitate access to clients, companies, and organizations seeking specialized AI services, thereby stimulating the local AI economy.

The EU-Wide Network

Article 5(6) mandates the establishment of a network of Centres for AI. This network supports collaboration and the exchange of best practices among centres across the EU. It also provides specialized services across regions where specific skills or compute capacity are not available locally. For Slovenia, this means that local entities can access expertise and resources from other Member States if they are not available domestically, fostering a truly cross-border European AI ecosystem. The network is designed to ensure that no region is left behind due to a lack of local capacity.

Connection to National Strategy

The establishment of these centres is not an isolated measure but is deeply integrated into the broader strategic framework of CADA. Article 7 of the proposal requires Member States to adopt national cloud and AI strategies. Slovenia's national strategy must include measures to accelerate the development and adoption of cloud and AI at national, regional, and local levels. Crucially, Article 7(2)(b) specifies that these measures must include "supporting the Centres for AI referred to in Article 5 as entry points to the European AI innovation ecosystem."

This linkage means that the Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI in Slovenia will be the operational arm of the national strategy at the local and regional level. They are the tangible interface through which public bodies, SMEs, and industries interact with the EU's AI policy goals. The national strategy will define the priorities, and the centres will execute the support, training, and connection activities necessary to meet those priorities. Furthermore, Article 7(5) requires Member States to assess their national strategies at least every three years, ensuring that the role of the Centres evolves with technological and market developments.

What this means for you

For public-sector procurement officers, IT managers, and business leaders in Slovenia, the Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI represent a critical resource for navigating the new regulatory and technological landscape introduced by CADA.

1. A First Point of Contact for AI Adoption If your organization is planning to adopt AI systems or migrate to sovereign cloud services, the local Centre for AI should be your first port of call. They can help you identify suitable European providers, understand the technical requirements for different Union assurance levels (as defined in CADA Title IV), and navigate the procurement process. They are specifically tasked with connecting organizations with European providers, which can simplify your supplier selection process and ensure compliance with sovereignty requirements.

2. Access to Training and Expertise AI adoption often stalls due to a lack of internal expertise. The centres are mandated to provide access to upskilling and reskilling schemes. You can leverage these programmes to train your staff on AI literacy, cloud security, and the specific obligations under CADA, such as risk assessments for high-risk AI systems. This can reduce the need for expensive external consulting and build internal capacity, ensuring that Slovenian organizations remain competitive.

3. Support for SMEs and Start-ups If your procurement strategy includes engaging with innovative SMEs or start-ups, the centres can help you identify and connect with these entities. They support the scaling of local AI start-ups and can facilitate matchmaking between public buyers and innovative solutions. This aligns with CADA's goal of fostering a competitive European AI market and ensuring that public procurement drives innovation. For SMEs, the centres offer a pathway to access markets and technologies that might otherwise be out of reach.

4. Navigating Sovereignty Requirements CADA introduces strict sovereignty frameworks for cloud computing services. The centres can provide guidance on how to meet these requirements, particularly in selecting providers that offer the necessary Union assurance levels. They can help you understand the technical and legal implications of these requirements, ensuring that your procurement decisions are compliant and secure. This is particularly important for public bodies that must adhere to the procurement rules outlined in Article 30.

5. Collaboration Across Regions If you face challenges that cannot be resolved locally, the EU-wide network of centres offers access to cross-border expertise. You can collaborate with centres in other Member States to share best practices, access specialized skills, or even procure services from providers in other EU countries. This network effect enhances the value of the local centre and expands your options for AI and cloud solutions, ensuring that Slovenia benefits from the collective intelligence of the Union.

Common misconceptions

Misconception 1: These are entirely new entities. It is incorrect to assume that Experience and Acceleration Centres for AI will be built from the ground up. Article 5 explicitly states that they will "build on the European digital innovation hubs." In Slovenia, this means that existing EDIHs will likely evolve into these centres, retaining their local knowledge and networks while expanding their focus to include AI-specific acceleration and sovereignty support.

Misconception 2: They only serve the private sector. While SMEs and SMCs are key beneficiaries, the centres are equally important for public sector bodies. Article 5(2)(b) explicitly mentions supporting public sector bodies. Public procurement officers will find these centres valuable for understanding CADA's procurement rules, accessing training, and identifying sovereign cloud providers.

Misconception 3: They are solely technical support desks. The centres are not just IT helpdesks. They have a broader mandate that includes strategic support, upskilling, facilitating expertise transfer, and supporting start-ups. They are innovation hubs designed to drive the entire AI ecosystem, from workforce development to market access for European providers.

Misconception 4: They operate in isolation. The centres are part of a mandated EU-wide network. They are required to collaborate, share best practices, and provide specialized services across regions. This means that a centre in Slovenia can leverage expertise from centres in Germany, France, or other Member States, ensuring that local organizations have access to the best available European AI resources.

Related

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