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AI Albania becomes Associate Member of the European AI Forum
16 Jun 2025
AI Albania is confirmed as EAIF Associate Member — the first official representative of Albania, strengthening cooperation and policy dialogue across Europe.
On 16 June 2025, during the 11th European AI Forum in Gdańsk, AI Albania was officially confirmed as an Associate Member of the European AI Forum (EAIF). The announcement came during AI Albania’s presentation at the forum, where the organization shared its growing portfolio and vision for responsible AI in Albania and the Western Balkans.
This step makes AI Albania the first and only official member representing Albania at EAIF, joining 13 other national AI associations under the forum’s umbrella.
What the European AI Forum represents
The European AI Forum is the umbrella body of national AI associations and clusters across Europe. It brings together more than 2,000 AI-focused members, including SMEs, large companies, organizations, and individual experts, making it one of the largest organized voices for AI in Europe.
EAIF began in 2020 and has grown from a recurring conference into a network that ensures startups and AI builders have a voice in debates on European AI rules and support measures.
Through its biannual forum and ongoing work, EAIF:
- Connects AI entrepreneurs with policymakers, regulators, and researchers
- Contributes to discussions on the EU AI Act and related policy files
- Promotes human-centric, trustworthy AI made in Europe
- Raises awareness about AI among businesses, public actors, and citizens
With the addition of new members such as AI Albania, EAIF now unites 10 member organizations and 3 associated members, strengthening cooperation across a wider set of European and neighbouring countries.
What Associate Membership means for Albania
As an Associate Member, AI Albania now:
- Represents Albania within EAIF’s network of national AI associations
- Contributes to joint positions on European AI policy
- Takes part in shaping agendas for the European AI Forum and related activities
- Connects Albanian stakeholders with peers across Europe
This role supports AI Albania’s mission to:
- Strengthen Albania’s digital sovereignty through strategic AI development
- Build links between business, academia, and public administration
- Improve understanding of AI among professionals and the wider public
- Promote Albanian projects and talent within European and global AI communities
Membership also signals that Albania’s AI community is ready to sit at the table where European AI rules, support programs, and strategic directions are discussed.
From Gdańsk to the region
The 11th European AI Forum in Gdańsk, held as part of the Digital Summit under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, gathered ministers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to discuss AI infrastructure, the AI Act, cloud capacity, and European digital sovereignty.
In that context, the announcement of AI Albania’s associate membership did more than add a logo to a list. It brought Albania into a structured European alliance that:
- Gives smaller ecosystems a route into high-level policy discussions
- Connects local companies and experts to cross-border projects and networks
- Ensures that perspectives from the Western Balkans feed into European debates on AI
For AI Albania, this recognition affirms years of groundwork with educators, researchers, and partners, and sets a new reference point for future collaborations at EU level.
