FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Overview & offer

• What is the aim of AI Factory Austria?

  The AI Factory Austria AI:AT is Austria’s national AI Factory in the EuroHPC environment. Its aim is to provide companies, start-ups, public administration and applied research with clear, practical access to AI – from initial orientation to concrete pilot projects. AI:AT combines European computing infrastructure, technical expertise, training and a strong network. At its core, the aim is to make AI effective, responsible and economically viable in Austria.

• How is the AI Factory Austria organized and structured?

  AI:AT combines three levels: Firstly, access to AI-optimized computing infrastructure in Europe and, in perspective, to the new supercomputer in Vienna. Secondly, a service and hub model with consulting, access to compute, AI and data implementation, business growth offerings, training as well as legal, regulatory and ethics support. Thirdly, a partner and community network in Austria and Europe. It is precisely this combination that makes AI:AT a one-stop store – not just for hardware, but for the entire journey from idea to implementation.

• What specific services and resources does AI Factory Austria offer?

  AI:AT’s current offering covers several stages of the AI journey. These include in particular:

  • Project Advisory and initial orientation for suitable next steps
  • Access to Compute – i.e. support for access to European HPC resources and their technical use
  • AI & Data Implementation – for example model selection, data preparation, technical implementation and support with specific use cases
  • AI & Business Growth – with formats such as Discovery, Playground, PoC, Growth, Executive Track and Collaboration
  • Training, webinars and workshops for different maturity levels
  • Trustworthy AI as well as legal, regulatory and ethics support
  • Coworking, community formats and matchmaking with research, companies and partners

• How do I get access to the AI Factory Austria offers?

  The easiest way to get started is via the website ai-at.eu or by emailing info@ai-at.eu. From there, you can find out which format suits your project – such as initial consultation, training, PoC support, coworking or access to compute. For existing users, support@ai-at.eu is the central support address; for training and courses, there is training@ai-at.eu. For individual offers – such as bundles or coworking – there are also direct inquiry or application channels via the website.

• Are there any costs for using the AI Factory Austria and are there any subsidies?

  Many of AI:AT’s current entry-level services are free of charge or have very low-threshold access for eligible target groups – such as individual training formats or the coworking offer. However, whether a specific service is free of charge depends on the respective offer, target group, availability and access model. In principle, AI:AT is publicly co-financed and aims to significantly reduce barriers for start-ups, SMEs, public administration and research. For more extensive projects or special computing resources, the framework conditions are clarified on a case-by-case basis.

• How does AI Factory Austria ensure the security of company data?

  Data security and trustworthy AI are core components of AI:AT. This means: clear access rights, careful data governance, European legal frameworks such as the GDPR and AI Act, as well as support with issues relating to documentation, compliance and responsible AI use. AI:AT helps to choose the right technical and organizational environment for sensitive projects – so that AI applications can be used practically without losing control over data, processes and responsibilities.

• What is the schedule for the AI Factory Austria? (Supercomputer construction and coworking space)

  AI:AT has been operational since July 2025 and the first services have been running since October 2025. The AI:AT Coworking Hub at SOLARIS in Karl-Farkas-Gasse 22, 1030 Vienna, has been open since February 24, 2026. Access to European computing power is already possible today – including via EuroHPC systems such as Leonardo in Bologna. The new AI-optimized supercomputer for Vienna is currently being procured and built; it is currently scheduled to go into operation in Q3/2027.

Europe, ecosystem & sovereignty

• Is the AI Factory Austria intended exclusively for Austrian players, or can international partners also use it?

  AI:AT has a strong focus on Austria, but is clearly embedded in Europe. Depending on the offer, organizations from other participating countries of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking may also be eligible for access. The respective European access rules and calls apply to computing resources. For the current coworking offer, AI:AT publicly states that one of the requirements is a registered office in a participating EuroHPC JU country and a valid UID or VAT number.

• What is the European dimension of the project - how is the AI Factory Austria networked in Europe?

  AI:AT is part of the European AI Factories initiative under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. This makes the AI Factory Austria not only a national point of contact, but also an interface to European computing resources, partners and best practices. This is a great advantage for Austrian organizations: they receive local orientation and support, but can also use European infrastructure and networking. AI:AT thus connects national use cases with a larger European innovation space.

• Are there examples of specific AI applications that could be developed in the AI Factory Austria?

  Yes – and there are already the first public examples. Zenta Solutions is using AI:AT to access European supercomputing resources to test AI-supported methods for structuring and analyzing medical data. Another Earth trains synthetic earth observation models on EuroHPC systems with the support of AI:AT. In addition, AI:AT is generally open to data-intensive AI applications in areas such as life sciences, industry, the environment, public administration and other fields in which data is to be turned into concrete impact.

• What role does AI Factory Austria play in the context of Europe's digital sovereignty?

  AI:AT strengthens digital sovereignty because it brings together European infrastructure, open technologies, responsible AI and concrete application support. Organizations should not have to build sophisticated AI projects exclusively on non-European platforms, but should have access to European computing resources, expertise and governance. Sovereignty in this context means not only having their own hardware, but also control over data, processes, interfaces and regulatory requirements.

• What support does the AI Factory Austria offer specifically for start-ups?

  Startups are clearly one of AI:AT’s core target groups. Formats such as Discovery, Playground, PoC, Growth, Collaboration and the coworking offer are particularly relevant for them. They receive access to technical expertise, computing resources, sparring on specific use cases, networking with research and industry and – depending on the format – support with financing, market access and growth. This is particularly valuable for young teams, as it allows them to experiment and validate faster without having to build up their own expensive infrastructure first.

• How do companies benefit from the AI Factory?

  For companies, the added value lies above all in a faster and lower-risk entry into AI. AI:AT helps to identify meaningful use cases, check feasibility, organize expertise and tap into suitable computing resources. Instead of having to navigate between technology, regulation and partner landscape alone, companies are given a neutral access point. This is particularly helpful for challenging or innovative projects that cannot be solved with standard “off-the-shelf” software.

• How will you collaborate with existing corporate and research initiatives?

  AI:AT does not see itself as a competitor to existing offerings, but rather as a connecting hub. Where strong initiatives, research teams, programs or networks already exist, AI:AT aims to make them visible, integrate them and link them to specific use cases. The aim is to avoid duplicate structures and make better use of existing strengths. For companies, this means that they not only receive individual services, but also – if necessary – the path to the right partners in the existing ecosystem

• How can research institutions get involved in the AI Factory Austria?

  Research institutions can help shape AI:AT in various ways: as consortium and project partners, with technical expertise, with training and further education contributions or in joint application projects with companies and public administration. AI:AT is designed to facilitate transfer in both directions – i.e. to bring research into application more quickly and at the same time to reflect practical requirements back into research and development. This close integration is a key advantage, especially when it comes to complex AI topics.

• What advantages does the AI Factory offer public administration?

  Public administration is also a key target group of AI:AT. Public bodies can test AI applications in a structured, responsible framework – for example for document-intensive processes, data analysis or better services. AI:AT provides technical support as well as assistance with legal, regulatory and ethical issues.

Target groups, benefits & cooperation

• What support does the AI Factory Austria offer specifically for start-ups?

  Startups are clearly one of AI:AT’s core target groups. Formats such as Discovery, Playground, PoC, Growth, Collaboration and the coworking offer are particularly relevant for them. They receive access to technical expertise, computing resources, sparring on specific use cases, networking with research and industry and – depending on the format – support with financing, market access and growth. This is particularly valuable for young teams, as it allows them to experiment and validate faster without having to build up their own expensive infrastructure first.

• How do companies benefit from the AI Factory?

  For companies, the added value lies above all in a faster and lower-risk entry into AI. AI:AT helps to identify meaningful use cases, check feasibility, organize expertise and tap into suitable computing resources. Instead of having to navigate between technology, regulation and partner landscape alone, companies are given a neutral access point. This is particularly helpful for challenging or innovative projects that cannot be solved with standard “off-the-shelf” software.

• How will you collaborate with existing corporate and research initiatives?

  AI:AT does not see itself as a competitor to existing offerings, but rather as a connecting hub. Where strong initiatives, research teams, programs or networks already exist, AI:AT aims to make them visible, integrate them and link them to specific use cases. The aim is to avoid duplicate structures and make better use of existing strengths. For companies, this means that they not only receive individual services, but also – if necessary – the path to the right partners in the existing ecosystem

• How can research institutions get involved in the AI Factory Austria?

  Research institutions can help shape AI:AT in various ways: as consortium and project partners, with technical expertise, with training and further education contributions or in joint application projects with companies and public administration. AI:AT is designed to facilitate transfer in both directions – i.e. to bring research into application more quickly and at the same time to reflect practical requirements back into research and development. This close integration is a key advantage, especially when it comes to complex AI topics.

• What advantages does the AI Factory offer public administration?

  Public administration is also a key target group of AI:AT. Public bodies can test AI applications in a structured, responsible framework – for example for document-intensive processes, data analysis or better services. AI:AT provides technical support as well as assistance with legal, regulatory and ethical issues.