Between 27–29 May 2026, Stelian Brad, Head of DIH4Society European Digital Innovation Hub and President of Cluj IT Cluster, participated in the EDIH Nordic Summit and the AI+Business Conference held in Halden, Norway.
The events brought together European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), innovation support organizations, public authorities, and business leaders to discuss the future of digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption across Europe.
A central highlight of the three-day program was the EDIH Nordic Summit, organized as part of the AI+ conference. DIH4Society played a key role as co-organizer of the summit, contributing to the agenda design, facilitating dialogue among European innovation ecosystems, and actively supporting discussions on the future development and sustainability of the EDIH network.
During the summit, Stelian Brad delivered the presentation “DIH4Society – A Proving Space for Digital Adoption,” introducing the hub’s approach to reducing uncertainty in digital transformation projects through Test Before Invest services. The presentation emphasized that the true value of an EDIH extends beyond technology provision, residing instead in its ability to help organizations make evidence-based investment decisions and minimize the risks associated with digital transformation and AI adoption.
Participants showed strong interest in DIH4Society’s operational model, its experience in supporting SMEs, public administrations, and healthcare institutions, as well as its methodologies for evaluating digital maturity and validating innovation initiatives. The concepts of Test Before Invest and the “decision refinery” approach attracted particular attention as practical mechanisms for transforming digital ambitions into measurable business outcomes.
An important milestone achieved during the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DIH4Society and EDIH NEMONDOOR, the Norwegian co-organizer of the event. The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening European cooperation in digital innovation and establishing a long-term partnership between the two organizations.
The primary objective of the MoU is to combine the expertise, resources, and capabilities of both partners in delivering services, implementing joint activities, and organizing events that support digital transformation. Beyond operational collaboration, the partnership aims to contribute to the development of a stronger and more connected support ecosystem for organizations of all types seeking to adopt digital technologies and artificial intelligence solutions.
The EDIH Nordic Summit provided the ideal context for formalizing this collaboration. Throughout the event, representatives of EDIHs, innovation agencies, businesses, and public-sector organizations exchanged experiences and explored opportunities for joint initiatives. Discussions focused on cross-border services for SMEs, AI governance in the public sector, sustainability models for EDIHs, the sharing of Test Before Invest best practices, and the development of common frameworks for assessing digital maturity and measuring the impact of AI-driven projects.
As part of the broader AI+Business Conference, Stelian Brad also presented “Helping Businesses Drive Innovation with AI – From Optimisation to Resilient Business Models,” highlighting how organizations can use AI not only to improve efficiency but also to enhance resilience and strengthen strategic decision-making in increasingly uncertain environments.
The participation in both events reinforced DIH4Society’s position as an active contributor to the European digital transformation agenda. The successful co-organization of the EDIH Nordic Summit and the signing of the strategic partnership with EDIH NEMONDOOR demonstrate DIH4Society’s growing role in fostering international collaboration, advancing responsible AI adoption, and supporting the creation of sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe.
