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prg.ai newsletter #49

The Czech AI scene is buzzing! Equilibre startup conquers the US stock market, the new prg․ai Master's program unlocks AI's potential, and Matfyz awards its first deep learning microcertificates. Follow the AI revolution with us: explore AI agents, and see how AI helps gorillas in Rwanda. Plus, prg․ai news! Applications for prg․ai Minoru are open, new partners join, and tons of learning events await.

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🔥 AI at the heart of the action

We know the dates of this years Days of AI

We bring you a fresh aftermovie from Days of AI 2024, which brought 200 events in 24 cities and reached over 10,000 visitors. And it is with no small amount of joy that we announce the dates for the fourth edition. Get ready for the next AI festival, which will take place from 3 to 16 November. This time, you can also look forward to a rich programme across the country, focused on popularising AI, education and connecting experts from different fields.

Study AI in Prague with the prg.ai Master Program

The newly accredited prg.ai Master program offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the world of cutting-edge AI technologies. This interdisciplinary program, building on the success of the prg․ai Minor, combines theoretical instruction with practical applications and emphasizes the ethical and safety aspects of AI. Taught in English by experts from FEE CTU, CIIRC, and the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University. The student community then falls under our wing and can look forward to, for example, variations of Industry Talks, which are held under the banner of prg․ai Minoru. The program is now accepting applications until April 30th.

Equilibre Takes on the US Stock Market

Czech startup Equilibre, led by world-class researchers behind DeepStack, has announced a $10 million investment and its entry into the US stock market. The company is developing technology for algorithmic trading using game theory and reinforcement learning. Equilibre boasts a top-tier team of AI and machine learning experts from Prague and attracts global talent with the ambition to create the best trading algorithm in the world. This success further confirms the growing importance of the Czech AI scene on the international level. Want to be a part of this amazing journey? They’re hiring now! 

We join the call against the draft Code of Practice for GPAI 

Together with the Confederation of Industry and Transport and fourteen other major organisations, we have signed an open letter warning the European Commission against the Second Draft of the General Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Conduct. This draft, in its current form, tightens the requirements set out in the AI Act and could lead to excessive bureaucracy and threaten Europe’s AI competitiveness. The letter highlights overly complex regulations, unworkable compliance measures and excessive disclosure requirements that threaten trade secrets and public safety.

Curriculum for Teaching Artificial Intelligence

The AI dětem platform launches a new curriculum that teaches children and youth about the basics of artificial intelligence in a fun and interactive way. Materials are available for both teachers and students, covering the principles of AI, its practical applications, and related ethical considerations. The curriculum promotes the development of digital skills and helps prepare the younger generation for a world where AI is an integral part of life.

AI Revolution?

Get ready for a revolution in artificial intelligence! Jaroslav Beck, co-founder of the gaming hit Beat Saber, Tomáš Mikolov, a leading Czech AI expert, and David Herel, have joined forces in an ambitious new startup. With a planned investment of CZK 250 million, they will focus on developing a universal artificial intelligence capable of adapting and learning across various tasks. The startup builds on the latest research and aims to push the boundaries of current AI and strengthen the Czech Republic’s position in global AI research.

Support for New STEM Teachers Initiative

The Matika Česku Foundation has established cooperation with Charles University and Masaryk University in Brno. The initiative was created to support aspiring teachers of mathematics, physics and computer science. Teachers with up to 5 years of experience can receive a financial allowance of CZK 10,000 per month, access to the community and educational opportunities. Behind the project are prominent personalities such as Jakub Nešetřil (Česko.Digital), Petr Zahradník (Qminers – our members), Michal Pěchouček (one of our founders) and Robert Plaga.

Brno.AI Meetup #9: AI Enthusiast Gathering

Our partners from Brno have prepared Brno.AI Meetup #9 – another opportunity for AI enthusiasts, experts and researchers to meet. The event will feature inspiring lectures, experience sharing, and networking in the dynamically developing field of artificial intelligence. 

🏡 What’s new at prg․ai

Applications Open for prg․ai Minor!

Elevate your degree with the prg․ai Minor program! We have opened applications for a program that allows you to study selected courses from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Information Technology at CTU and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University. Expand your technical knowledge, understand the ethical and security aspects of AI, and learn from top experts. Become part of a broad AI community and build your professional network. If you are a CTU or CUNI student with an interest in technology, prg․ai Minor is for you! Submit your applications by March 21st.

New Partners on Board

We welcome Barclays and Advokátní asociace pro AI (Lawyers Association for AI) as partners. Barclays is a universal bank with a global reach, offering a wide range of financial services including retail, corporate and investment banking. The company actively uses modern technologies, such as automation, to enhance its services. The Lawyers Association for AI is a prestigious organization that brings together leading lawyers in the country and plays a key role in shaping the legal environment. The Association is actively involved in discussions about the impact of AI and technology and its ethical use.

Artificial Intelligence for a Stronger Democracy

A new project led by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, CZDEMOS4AI, is exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance democracy in the Czech Republic. The project focuses on developing a multi-agent AI assistant to serve in areas such as education, security, law, and mental health. The goal is to create AI tools that align with democratic principles and improve the functioning of society. We’re part of the interdisciplinary project that is supported by Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.

Rich Sutton on the Future of Intelligence

At the close of the Days of AI, experts, enthusiasts, and the public gathered to listen to lectures by Rich Sutton and Tomáš Mikolov. Rich Sutton began his presentation with a debate on the essence of intelligence, its significance, and possible future developments. In his opinion, intelligence is “the most powerful phenomenon in the universe” and “an absolute good.” Sutton also emphasized that AI development should aim towards decentralization and a diversity of goals for AI agents. Furthermore, Rich Sutton addressed the current successes and shortcomings of AI and offered his view on how intelligence should be defined.

We also met Murray Campbell last spring. He explained why games are important for AI research, and how the view of chess changed after Deep Blue’s victory over Kasparov. Murray also discussed the limits of AI in chess and the future of human-AI collaboration, emphasizing that there are limits to the possibilities of such collaboration.

Humans and the Age of AI

Our director Lukáš Kačena was a guest in the Aignos podcast, discussing how artificial intelligence is changing society, business, and education. Among other topics, the podcast covered how AI is influencing various fields of human activity, why it is important for non-technical professions to be interested in AI, and how to prepare the younger generation for life in the digital world.

The Future of AI Regulation in Czechia

Our Filip Hartmann participated in a panel discussion on AI regulation in Czechia. Together with Ondřej Ferdus (SPČR) and Klára Alexandra Veselá (Resistant AI), they discussed the opportunities and risks for Czech companies and the economy. Key points of the discussion included the need for awareness of the AI Act, the importance of responsible implementation, and a proactive approach to regulation.

Where to meet us

Another edition of the Technology Olympiad is upon us, and we are supporting it again this year. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, 3D printing, electromobility and other topics await high school students in the Technology Olympiad 2025. Registration until March 17th.

NVIDIA’s traditional conference is coming up, featuring new technologies, more than a thousand talks from experts around the world, and a keynote by Jensen Huang. Together with M Computers, we’re bringing you NVIDIA GTC WATCH. Join us to watch the key moments of one of the most important conferences. We’ll go over the latest news and show you how start-ups and academic institutions can take advantage of NVIDIA programs. We look forward to seeing you on April 1 at the Hybernská Campus.

We are proud partners of the Prague International Management Conference (April 7-9), which will focus on the use of artificial intelligence in business management. Our director, Lukáš Kačena, will participate in a panel discussion alongside prominent figures such as Milena Jabůrková. The conference, under the auspices of President Petr Pavel and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, will connect top managers, scientists, and innovators from around the world. We look forward to inspiring discussions and the sharing of experiences.

The AI Center at FEE CTU invites you to a lecture on April 7 by William Regli, an expert in AI and advanced technologies. The lecture will focus on current developments in AI, its applications in industry and defense, and the challenges of its implementation. The event is intended for students, researchers, and professionals.

On 28-30 April, one of the biggest events on machine learning and AI in Europe will take place, which we are a partner of this year – ML Prague. Every year, experts from academia, technology companies and startups gather in Prague to share the latest findings and innovations in AI. The program includes lectures, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities with leading experts in machine learning, deep learning and data science. The conference is designed for researchers, developers and managers who want to stay on top of AI trends. We have an exclusive 15% discount for our supporters with the code prgai15.

This year we are also partners of the WebExpo conference, the leading Central European conference for web development, design, product management and marketing. Come get inspired by top experts from around the world and use our exclusive discount code PRGAI25 for 20% off conference tickets and bundle tickets. We look forward to seeing you in Prague on May 28 and 29!

👏 Local AI scene news that makes us proud

Experts Comment on AI Summit in Paris and EU’s Position

The recent AI Summit in Paris has reignited discussions about the future of artificial intelligence and the European Union’s role in this rapidly evolving field. Experts like Jan Šedivý (CIIRC), Michal Pěchouček, and Viliam Lisý (both AIC FEL CVUT) shared their insights on key issues such as regulation, innovation, and competitiveness. Experts emphasized the need for a strategic approach that fosters European innovation while ensuring ethical and safe AI deployment.

Matfyz Launches Micro-certificate Course

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University (Matfyz) is launching its first micro-certificate course in deep learning. The open course “Deep Learning” introduces participants to the principles of deep neural networks and their practical applications. Graduates will receive a micro-certificate confirming their knowledge in modern machine learning methods.

Pilsen Unveils Autonomous Tram 

Pilsen is becoming a leader in urban transport innovations. A technological demonstrator of an autonomous tram has been unveiled through collaboration between FEE CTU, FEL UWB, and Pilsen City Transport Companies. This project has the potential to enhance operational efficiency and improve working conditions for drivers.

Graphs in the Fight Against Fraud

Šimon Mandlík (AIC FEE CTU) presents in the podcast the use of graphs and machine learning to detect cyber threats. The method analyzes relationships between entities in the network and identifies malicious domains and files. Thanks to the “locality assumption”, it achieves better results than traditional methods.

Become an Informatics Teacher

The new Master’s program in Informatics Education at FIT CTU prepares you to share knowledge and inspire students. Qualify for a vital profession and shape the digital future.

Studies at FIT CTU?

Curious about what it’s like to pursue a Master’s degree at FIT CTU? Tune in to the latest episode of the Jedničky a Nuly podcast, where second-year Master’s student, Bc. Ladislav Marko, shares his experiences. Discover his reasons for continuing his studies, insights into the Master’s program, and his favorite subjects. Also students Lukáš Hubač and Adam Sedláček share their experiences and impressions of the program. Learn about their motivations and advice for prospective students.

Supporting Czech Science and Innovation in Industry

Marek Ženíšek, Minister of Science, Research and Innovation, visited the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University in Prague. He met with leading Czech scientists in the fields of AI, robotics and Industry 4.0 to discuss support for Czech science and innovation in industry. The program also included a tour of the experimental laboratories at RICAIP Testbed Praha.

Czech Scientists Connect AI and Mass Spectrometry

Brothers Roman and Anton Bushuiev from the IOCB and CIIRC CTU have launched an international collaboration to systematically compare and evaluate AI methods for analyzing mass spectrometry data. The MassSpecGym project aims to stimulate the development of new machine learning models for identifying molecules with potential use in drug discovery, environmental science, and space exploration. The project’s results were presented at the NeurIPS 2024 conference.

Criminal Liability for AI

CIIRC CTU hosted a lecture by Prof. Vladimír Smejkal on the topic of “Criminal Liability for AI”. Professor Smejkal, one of the founders of IT law and IT forensics in the Czech Republic, addressed the increasingly relevant issue of criminal liability in connection with the growing use of artificial intelligence.

Automation, Innovation and the Future of Industry

Pavel Burget, Head of RICAIP, and Tomáš Jochman discussed the real possibilities of automation and innovation in the industry of the future on T-Mobile’s MeziSvými podcast. They focused on the question of which innovations bring real returns. You can listen to the podcast on T-Mobile platforms.

Hackathon Connected Technology and Public Administration

The second Ideathon – Hackathon – Matchathon is behind us, connecting students and programmers with mayors and municipal leaders. The goal was to find digital solutions to the challenges of everyday local government work. 

A New Era of Web Automation

Apify is expanding its focus from web automation to AI agents. These systems collect and process data, plan, make decisions, and respond to changes in the online environment. Apify is responding to the demand for comprehensive automation that connects web scraping with AI to solve complex tasks.

A Day in the Life of a Data Scientist at Datamole: AI and Analysis in Practice

A day in the life of a data scientist at Datamole! Patrik Hudačko dives into deep work, data analysis, and AI-driven projects that make a real-world impact. His work ranges from optimizing dough height in production to developing AI chatbots, all while collaborating with a team that values flexibility and innovation.

On AI Agent Hype: Focus on Specific Solutions

Petr Baudiš, CEO of Rossum, cautions against the hype surrounding generalist AI agents. He argues that businesses looking to derive value from agents in 2025 should focus on developing specific, non-autonomous solutions integrated into existing workflows, rather than expecting proactive, general-purpose agents.

Adela: The Revolutionary AI Recruiter of the Czech Army

Meet Adela, the revolutionary conversational AI that transformed recruitment for the Czech Army last year. Developed by experts at Mama Telma AI, Adela breaks down traditional communication barriers with potential recruits. Operating 24/7, she answers questions and guides applicants through the process without needing to make phone calls, thus appealing to a younger audience. Utilizing technologies like RAG, Adela effectively searches for information and provides answers without hallucinations. Telma AI’s experts plan to expand Adela’s capabilities into other sectors, such as healthcare and hospitality, where she could help automate and personalize services. Adéla won the AI Awards 2024 in the Best AI in Public Administration category.

Profinit Acquired by Amdocs

Czech-based data science and software engineering firm Profinit has been acquired by Amdocs, a global leader in software and services for the communications industry. Profinit has deep expertise in custom software development, data management, data science and AI. With a team of over 500 software developers, data engineers, and mathematicians, the company serves clients across various sectors.

Europe and AI: Opportunities and Challenges

A new report by AWS on AI in Europe reveals growing enthusiasm but also risks. Startups lead in innovation, while large companies focus on efficiency. This could lead to a two-tier economy and limit Europe’s potential.

AI Gives Gorillas a Voice in Rwanda

The Tehanu project in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park uses generative AI to understand the needs of mountain gorillas. Leveraging AWS, Anthropic, and Adastra, Tehanu analyzes gorilla behavior data and translates it into digital financial transactions, allowing gorillas to “vote” within the economic system and protect their interests. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities for conservation and biodiversity protection using AI.

AI Revolution in Education

In an interview for PAiONEERS TALKS podcast, Eva Nečasová, founder of the AI dětem project, shared her vision of an AI-driven revolution in education. They discussed the project’s origins and goals, focusing on integrating AI into elementary and secondary school curricula. 

AI Agents for Efficient Automation

Apify has introduced anticipated use cases for AI agents to automate online processes. Key areas include intelligent web scraping, website change monitoring, e-commerce catalog management, data collection and analysis, customer support, and content generation. AI agents leverage machine learning and natural language processing to handle complex tasks with minimal human intervention. Also Rossum has introduced specialized AI agents designed to automate business administration. These autonomous tools process documents such as invoices and orders, handling tasks from data extraction to verification and transfer to internal systems. The goal is to reduce administrative burden and minimize errors.

HTEC Group Expands in EU with CertiCon Acquisition

HTEC Group has announced the acquisition of the Czech company CertiCon, expanding its presence in the EU and strengthening its competencies in MedTech, industrial solutions, and the automotive sector. CertiCon brings to HTEC expertise in software development for medical devices, industrial automation, and smart systems. The acquisition supports HTEC’s strategy to become a leading global provider of technology services.

🎭 Events we’re excited about

 

You can find all the events we find interesting in our Google Calendar.

 

 

🧩 Stuff that interests us

Czech Researcher Vít Růžička at TED AI

Vít Růžička, a graduate of CTU in Prague and a doctoral student at Oxford, presented his research at TED AI in Vienna, focusing on detecting methane leaks from space using artificial intelligence. Vít developed an AI model for processing satellite data and detecting catastrophic events. His research includes training neural networks directly on satellites, opening new possibilities for AI adaptation in space. His works have been published in Nature Scientific Reports and presented at the IGARSS conference. Within his doctoral research, he is now focusing on detecting methane leaks, a significant greenhouse gas, to accelerate response to failures in Oil and Gas industry infrastructure. His models are now being prepared for use in the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) within the United Nations. In his TED AI talk, Vít explains the details of his last research and its significance for climate protection. Check out the recently released performance footage.

MPO Opens Second Call for Application Program for Digital Solutions

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (MPO) is opening the second call of the Application program – development of digital solutions. The program supports innovative research and development in digitization and is part of the Operational Program Technology and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAK). It targets companies developing digital technologies, software and IT solutions. Companies can receive financial support for development with an emphasis on industrial use and automation.

Masterclass on Large Language Models

Andrej Karpathy has released a comprehensive guide on Large Language Models (LLMs). In a 3.5-hour video, he dives deep into the architecture, training, and applications of LLMs. Karpathy traces the evolution of language models from statistical methods to transformers, explains training on vast datasets, and breaks down attention mechanisms and tokenization. He highlights how LLMs are transforming various industries and emphasizes ethical considerations. The video is accessible to both newcomers and experts, providing valuable insights into the future of AI.

AI in 30 Under 30


Barbora Valtarová has been recognized in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2025 for her contributions to cybersecurity. This talented Czech researcher focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and develops innovative threat detection methods. In addition to research, she is also dedicated to educating professionals. Also Kamila Dvořák has been included in 30 Under 30 list for her work in artificial intelligence. She is involved in developing algorithms for big data analysis applied in medicine, particularly for diagnosis prediction and personalized patient care. Her innovations help accelerate and improve medical decision-making and support the advancement of modern healthcare. And Megi Mejdrechová has been included in the list for her contributions to robotics and automation. Together with two fellow graduates from the CTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, she co-founded the startup RoboTwin, which develops technologies that enable robots to mimic human work without complex programming. Using artificial intelligence and computer vision, factory workers teach robots by recording their movements, making production automation more accessible.

📢 Community calls

Registration Open for ALT-EDIC Industrial Consortium

Registration for the ALT-EDIC Industrial Consortium is now open! This consortium brings together enterprises and organizations from the European Economic Area (EEA) with an interest in Language Technologies (LT). The aim is to contribute to shaping the strategic priorities of ALT-EDIC, elect representatives to the Strategic Orientation Committee (SOC), and support projects focused on shared data and comparative evaluation. Representatives who register by March 13th will be invited to the inaugural event on March 20th in Villers-Cotterêts. The first meeting of the consortium is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.

Postdoctoral Positions in the CHARLESTON Programme

The CHARLESTON programme, co-funded by Charles University and the European Commission, offers 20 postdoctoral positions in 2025 and 2026. The programme supports research projects focused on sustainable development and societal impact, in line with UN goals. Each project lasts 27–30 months, including a 3–6 month secondment in a non-academic institution. The programme includes mentoring and training for career development. Postdocs choose their own research topics and collaborate with CU faculties and non-academic institutions. The programme supports international mobility and offers attractive financial conditions, including living, mobility, and family allowances.

School Competition on AI Literacy

Edu AI is launching the “Nachytej AI” competition, which teaches students how to use AI and recognize its errors. The competition develops creativity, critical thinking, and digital skills. It is intended for school teams and classes from the age of 13. Schools can gain recognition and valuable experience.

Apify Launches Bounty Program

Apify is launching a bounty program for the creation of AI agents with rewards up to $1000. A concept for a competitor price monitoring agent was introduced during their recent hackathon. The agent automatically crawls e-shops, compares prices of specific products, and identifies changes. The goal is to make it easier for companies to monitor the market and respond to price fluctuations.

💼 Open job positions

Artificial Intelligence Center FEE CTU

CIIRC

CETE-P

Apify

Blindspot AI

Datamole

DNAi

Make

MAMA AI

Qminers

Recombee

Rossum

Aricoma

EY

Equilibre Technologies

ČEPS

Dataclair O2

MSD

 

 

 

 

 

The newsletter is published with the support of the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH CTU), which is funded by the EU Digital Europe Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101083359 and by the National Recovery Plan (EDIH1.5.01.5).

 

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