EDIH Adria presented the project and activities of the new implementation phase as part of the Let’sGrow conference! 2026, a two-day event bringing together the technology community, entrepreneurs, institutional representatives and academia around the topics of artificial intelligence, digital transformation and innovation.
Through a panel discussion, 1 in 1 talks and participation in a stand during both days of the conference, EDIH Adria focused on one of the key issues of digital transformation today – how to introduce AI meaningfully, sustainably and with concrete value for business and the public sector.
The panel discussion is open to the question of how many AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot or Gemini are used today by an organization, but also how many of them have clearly defined rules on what can be entered into such tools and how the data used in AI systems is managed.
One of the key messages of the panel was that AI is not a “magic wand” and that application without preparation, clearly defined processes and responsibilities often does not yield the expected results.
The panel, moderated by Mario Vukelić (STEP RI), was attended by:
- Ivan Lorencin (Faculty of Informatics in Pula)
- Davor Aničić (Velebit AI)
- Dragan Sokolović (Smart Aqua)
Which processes are suitable for AI?
During the discussion, it was pointed out that processes that are routine, have clear rules and do not require a large amount of context are particularly suitable for the application of AI. We also talked about how important it is for organisations to understand their own processes before introducing new technologies, and how often this is a challenge in implementing the digital transformation.
Data as one of the biggest challenges
A special focus was on data management and data preparation for AI solutions.
Challenges such as unregulated databases, lack of structure and data protection were discussed, but also the increasing use of external AI tools without clear rules and control over the data entered into them.
A new service within the EDIH Adria project, Data Usability Assessment, aimed at assessing the readiness of organizations for the development and use of AI solutions, was also presented.
From idea to prototype
Through the example of Smart Aqua, the user path through EDIH Adria services was presented, from problem definition to the development of prototypes and preparation for financing further development.
One of the final messages of the panel was that AI enables rapid testing and development of new solutions through prototyping, while the implementation of AI requires continuous monitoring, adaptation and clearly defined responsibility within the organization.
After the panel discussion, there were also 1-on-1 interviews with EDIH Adria experts, during which participants had the opportunity to open specific questions related to digital transformation and the application of AI solutions in their own organizations.
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