Creating spaces where HEI members can learn about, experiment with, and apply AI as a research tool to develop circular economy inventions.
This work package provides resources and training to help HEI members harness AI for innovative solutions in circular economy research. By creating physical and virtual labs, and offering tailored training and pilot projects, the aim is to foster creative experimentation and practical AI application. This will enhance research capabilities and promote the development of marketable green technologies, contributing to a sustainable circular economy.
This task starts with mapping the current state of AI use in HEIs and identifying training needs through surveys and onsite visits. Based on this mapping, a tailored training program will be developed, aimed at equipping HEI members with the skills needed to use AI tools for data collection, research analysis, and identifying research gaps. Training seminars will focus on introducing participants to widespread AI tools and their application in circular economy research, with workshops providing hands-on opportunities to develop data analysis and visualization skills.
This task is setting up physical and virtual labs equipped with high-performance computers and AI tools such as Keras, PyTorch, and TensorFlow. These labs will allow HEI members to gain practical experience with AI-driven research related to circular economy challenges. Virtual environments, including cloud-based platforms, will facilitate collaboration through hackathons and immersive participation labs, where participants can work together to solve real-world problems in circular economy scenarios.
This task is to initiate pilot experimentation projects that encourage researchers to apply AI to address real-world challenges in the circular economy. These projects will tackle issues such as supply chain optimization, waste reduction, and resource recycling in collaboration with local industries. Researchers will also develop new electronic components from food waste, which will be incorporated into "Green electronic kits" to engage primary and high school students in STEM education and circular economy principles.
This task is organizing demo days at each HEI, where project teams present their methods, findings, and AI-assisted solutions to audiences of industry representatives, researchers, and policymakers. These events will include formal presentations, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions, providing a platform for stakeholders to engage with the project teams and offer feedback. The sessions will be recorded and summarized using AI tools to create educational resources for future participants, further expanding the impact of the project.
First virtual circular economy / AI research lab conducted at each HEI.
A series of 3 interim (M9) and 3 final training modules (M15) is developed (two at each HEI).
A series of 3 interim (M9) and 3 final research labs (M16) are conducted (two at each HEI) and documented in a report.
First pilot experimentation project initiated at each HEI.
A set of new research projects using AI applications in circular economy research is initiated and documented for each HEI. 5 new projects at each HEI at M17 and 5 more at each HEI at M21.
A demo day presenting ongoing research projects at each HEI has been held at each HEI and summarized in a report.