Centre of Excellence of AI for Sustainable Living and Working

Project Information

SustAInLivWork

Grant agreement ID: 101059903

DOI

10.3030/101059903

EC signature date 26 April 2023

Start date 1 September 2023

End date 31 August 2029

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 14 652 000,00

EU contribution

€ 14 652 000,00

Coordinated by

KAUNO TECHNOLOGIJOS UNIVERSITETAS
Lithuania

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SustAInLivWork (Centre of Excellence of AI for Sustainable Living and Working)

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SustAInLivWork aims to transform Lithuania into a regional leader in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for sustainable living and working. Although Lithuania’s economy is growing, the country still faces challenges in research and innovation performance, particularly regarding the adoption of AI across key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, health, and transport.
To address these gaps, SustAInLivWork is establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to AI-driven sustainable innovations. The CoE brings together four leading Lithuanian universities - Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) - together with two advanced partners: Tampere University (TAU) in Finland and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) in Germany.
This collaboration fosters scientific excellence, drives technological advancements, and strengthens innovation capacity both nationally and internationally. The CoE is essential to accelerate the development of AI-based research and innovation solutions in the four targeted sectors and to increase Lithuania’s sustainability by developing new business models and processes with lower CO2 emissions. A key focus will be on using Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to ensure that the developed solutions are safe, trustworthy, and transparent.
The project’s ambition is supported by four specific objectives:
• To establish and operate the SustAInLivWork CoE with a long-term vision to ensure its sustainability.
• To conduct advanced research on sustainable AI and educate stakeholders on its benefits and capabilities.
• To drive change in AI solutions for sustainable living and working, engaging society at large.
• To create a Lithuanian AI Cluster to accelerate sustainability transitions aligned with S3 priorities.
The SustAInLivWork CoE will act as a lighthouse, boosting Lithuania’s research and innovation through national and international collaboration, with broad scientific, economic, and societal impact.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The SustAInLivWork project work plan consists of six work packages, those are designed to achieve the overall project objective. During the first implementation period, significant progress has been made in establishing the foundations for long-term scientific excellence and AI-based innovation in sustainability.
WP1: Project partners signed a Cooperation Agreement, setting up the Centre’s structure, governance, and advisory bodies. The Centre’s Human Resources Strategy was completed, ensuring clear, transparent recruitment and career progression opportunities. On the technical side, a High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure is ready to use, giving researchers powerful tools to support their work. An Infrastructure Development Plan has also been prepared, outlining the next equipment purchases needed to expand the Centre’s capabilities.
WP2: The AI Joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Agenda was developed and delivered on time. This document maps out research priorities aligned with Lithuanian S3 strategies and SDGs across key sectors. The project launched its AI Fellowship International Programme, resulting in five fellowships completed by M18. Five grant applications were submitted, two of which were funded. Three scientific articles were published in Q1–Q2 journals, strengthening the project's early scientific output.
WP3: Preparatory activities for the SustAInLivWork Joint Tech-Transfer, Impact, and Knowledge Valorisation Agenda commenced during RP1, as the main activities are planned for RP2.
WP4: Early-stage discussions and stakeholder mapping for establishing the Lithuanian AI Cluster were initiated. Insights from international collaboration (e.g. meetings with Teaming projects in Slovenia) were incorporated into shaping the cluster strategy.
WP5: The Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation Plan was developed, defining strategies for promoting project results to varied audiences. The project website was launched, social media profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn) gained over 600 followers, and multiple promotional materials (brochures, posters) and press releases were created.
WP6: Coordination was ensured through regular meetings, financial oversight, and risk management. Core project documents - management, data, intellectual property, innovation, quality, and ethics plans - were completed.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Scientifically, the project will enhance AI research excellence through joint research and innovation (R&I) activities, high-quality publications, and participation in international projects. Economically, it aims to boost Lithuania’s competitiveness by creating test-before-invest services, consultancy offerings, and technology transfer platforms that connect research outcomes with industry needs.
On the societal level, the project seeks to build greater public trust in AI, expand AI education opportunities, and contribute to developing future digital skills by engaging students, public authorities, and citizens.
Environmentally, SustAInLivWork supports the European Green Deal by driving AI-based sustainable transformations across industry, energy, and mobility sectors.
To boost early scientific activity, a project website was launched, four AI research groups aligned with Lithuania’s S3 priorities were designed, and engagement with key national stakeholders (such as the Innovation Agency and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania) began to build long-term cooperation for advancing AI research and adoption.

sustainlivwork-brochure-about-us.png