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prg.ai newsletter #53

Welcome to the last edition of our newsletter before the summer break! We bring you an overview of hot news. We take a look at Europe-wide strategic plans, explore the new curriculum for Czech schools and, of course, the successes of our local AI scene. Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you again in October!

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🔥 AI at the heart of the action

Artificial Intelligence Returns to All Corners of Czechia!

Czechia’s largest artificial intelligence festival, Days of AI 2025, is back for its fourth edition this year, promising to be even better and more practical, spanning across the entire country. From November 3rd to 16th, 2025, you can look forward to a rich program that includes workshops, conferences, meetups, and interactive events designed for companies, students, experts, and the general public. Topics will cover the impact of AI on society, education, and the job market.

European Commission Seeks Experts for AI Scientific Panel

The European Commission is forming a scientific panel of independent experts to assist in implementing and enforcing the AI Act. This panel will focus on General-Purpose AI (GPAI) models and systems, advising the EU AI Office and national authorities on systemic risks, model classification, and evaluation methods. The Commission is seeking 60 members for a renewable two-year term. Candidates need expertise in GPAI, AI impacts, or related fields. A PhD or equivalent experience is required, and experts must maintain independence from AI providers. The selection will ensure gender balance and representation from EU and EEA/EFTA countries. Applications close on September 14th.

Central Europe claims its place in the AI revolution

Central Europe has clearly declared its ambition to become a key player in the AI revolution! The CEE AI Action Plan, initiated by the AI Chamber CEE, was presented at the EU Digital Summit in Gdansk, in which the Czech Republic actively participated thanks to input from prg.ai. This strategic plan brings concrete proposals for the full exploitation of the region’s AI potential. Key points include simplification of legislation, better coordination of digital infrastructure and strengthening interstate cooperation. The summit was actively attended by our own Lukáš Kačena and Filip Hartmann, who supported Czech expertise and involvement in the pan-European discussion on AI. The message from Gdansk was clear: Central Europe does not want to be just an observer, but an active co-creator of the future of AI. The full plan is available at aiactionplan.eu.

New AI Curriculum for Czech Schools

AI Dětem, in partnership with the Tykač Family Foundation and the National Pedagogical Institute, has launched a comprehensive AI curriculum for primary and secondary schools. The goal is to integrate AI education across subjects to boost AI literacy. The curriculum, featuring lesson plans and projects, is freely available online.

MBA Program AI in Business at Newton University Opens Applications

Newton University is now accepting applications for the next intake of its MBA program in AI in Business. This year-long weekend program is perfectly suited for professionals looking to delve deeper into managing the lifecycle of AI projects within companies. The program is taught entirely in English and boasts international participation, ensuring a valuable exchange of experiences. Its quality is further underscored by accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Czech Association of MBA Schools (CAMBAS). Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your career in AI!

🏡 What’s new at prg․ai

prg.ai Minor Welcomes New Cohort!

prg.ai Minor officially welcomed its seventh cohort of students at Kampus Hybernská. This inter-university program in artificial intelligence connects students from the Czech Technical University in Prague and Charles University. New students received all essential information about the program – from requirements to exceptional opportunities – and had the chance to meet peers from both universities. Three inspiring alumni shared their stories, detailing how they balanced studies and work, and how prg.ai Minor helped them secure positions in the AI field: Marek Miltner, co-founder of AI Tinkerers Prague and currently a researcher at Stanford, Daria Mikhaylovskaya, currently a teaching assistant at the CTU FEL Artificial Intelligence Center and Ondřej Karlíček, AI analyst at Dataclair.ai – O2’s AI center. Their experiences clearly demonstrate that interdisciplinary education in AI opens doors to exciting careers, whether in research or industry.

How is Generative AI Changing Czech Universities?

We had another regular meeting of our inter-university working group “Impacts of Generative AI on Universities,” where the representatives shared experiences and explored ways to effectively and safely integrate AI into teaching and research. All participants agreed that sharing experiences and best practices across institutions is crucial for faster and more efficient progress without redundant work. The discussion will continue in November at the “AI for universities” conference as part of Days of AI at the Faculty of Science, UJEP. 

Industry Talk for prg.ai Minor

Another Industry Talk for prg.ai Minor students recently took place at Make HQ. The main topics covered were AI agents, real-world use cases, and next-generation automation. Lukáš Drápal and Dan Riley presented to students how automation using LLM models is transforming the software world. Participants gained valuable insights into the context of AI agents within generative AI, where the hype ends and practical application begins and how the Make platform can be used for real-world scenarios and personal productivity. We are delighted by the keen interest of prg.ai Minor students in the practical application of AI and the excellent discussion that ensued!

Can AI Literacy Fulfill AI Act Goals?

Our colleague Bára Pelcová recently attended the Elements of AI summit in Helsinki, where discussions focused on how this popular course contributes to the AI Act’s public education goals. The meeting, organized by MinnaLearn and the University of Helsinki, also unveiled a new, follow-up course designed to be even more practical. The program included a visit to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle, where participants discussed AI trustworthiness in media and gained a behind-the-scenes look at broadcasting. if you want to learn AI basics this free course available also in Czech is the perfect starting point. 

Where we met

The Czech Republic is actively involved in discussions about the future of artificial intelligence. Our Lukáš Kačena participated in a panel discussion at the HPE AI Roadshow with NVIDIA. Together with AI experts from organizations such as Aricoma, DataSentics, MamaAI and Sympulse, he shared insights and experiences. The discussion focused on the development and implementation of AI in the Czech environment, underlining the importance of collaboration between academia, industry and the public sphere. Lukáš’s participation highlights the role of prg.ai in shaping the national AI strategy and connecting key players in the field of AI.

Our Lenka Kučerová spoke at the Václav Havel Library debate “How to Deal with Artificial Intelligence.” The event focused on the impact of AI in literary translation. Lenka Kučerová presented on AI and the future of work, challenges and opportunities for Czechia. This event provided a valuable platform for discussing how artificial intelligence is affecting the translation industry and what opportunities and challenges it presents.

Lenka also participated in the panel discussion “Artificial Intelligence and the Job Market: Evolution or Revolution?”. The discussion covered how AI is transforming the job market, from automation to new opportunities. Along with other experts, Lenka focused on workforce adaptation and the role of the state, education, and employers in the age of AI.

👏 Local AI scene news that makes us proud

Robotic Child as a Key to Human Learning

A team of scientists from CTU FEL, led by Matěj Hoffmann, are involved in the global development of humanoid robots. They’re developing the child-like android iCub to unravel the mysteries of early human learning. The iCub robot perceives the world through depth cameras, microphones, and pressure sensors, with 19 joints in its hand and 44 degrees of freedom. The goal is to advance humanoid development by understanding early cognitive development.

CTU Among Top European Institutions in AI and Robotics

Scientists from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU and the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) have achieved significant recognition. In the prestigious international ranking CSRankings, they placed among the top European institutions in the fields of computer science and robotics. This acknowledgment highlights the excellent level of research and development at CTU in key areas of modern technology.

AlquistCoder Team Triumphs in Amazon Nova AI Challenge

The AlquistCoder team, comprising researchers and students from the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC) and the Artificial Intelligence Center of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU (AIC FEL), has achieved remarkable success. They secured first place in the latest Amazon Nova AI Challenge: Trusted AI Track. This victory automatically advances the team to the finals of this prestigious international competition. We’ll find out the ultimate winner at the end of July 2025.

Prestigious Le Tecnovisionarie Award

Giulia D’Angelo, a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague and holder of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, received the prestigious international award Le Tecnovisionarie® 2025. The ceremony took place on 28 May at the iconic Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. This award highlights her exceptional contribution and innovative work in the field of technology.

AI, Energy and Study Abroad

Marek Miltner, a PhD student focusing on AI in energy at CTU and Stanford, was a guest of Data Talk. Marek shares his experiences studying abroad, working in academia and overcoming obstacles. A large part of the podcast is dedicated to AI projects focused on sustainability and energy, which Marek and his teams are currently working on.

Humanoids and Robot Dogs in AI Research

Three humanoid robots and two robotic dogs are ushering in a new era of robotics research in the Czech Republic. This project, which integrates technical robotics with artificial intelligence, is supported by a Donatio Universitatis Carolinae Chair grant and led by Stefan Edelkamp. Advances in technology and computing now allow for easier and more affordable robot deployment, enabling the efficient use of advanced algorithms.

Matfyz Talent Pushing AI Boundaries in Search

Zuzana Vopálková, a software and data engineering student at Matfyz, has been fascinated by artificial intelligence and its ability to solve complex problems automatically since the beginning of her studies. As a member of a scientific group, she is involved in developing advanced search systems. Her work includes improving the PraK tool, which has achieved success in prestigious international competitions and has wide practical applications, confirming her contribution to AI innovations.

Data as the Foundation for AI in Public Administration

Martin Nečaský from the Department of Software Engineering at Charles University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Physics highlighted at a prestigious conference that public administration needs high-quality and well-organized data to effectively utilize artificial intelligence. Without a proper data foundation, the potential of AI to improve services and processes will remain untapped.

A New Method for Keyword Recognition in Text

Adam Osuský focused his bachelor’s thesis on a crucial question: how to best train artificial intelligence to recognize keywords in text. His research not only yielded a new, effective method with the potential to assist both researchers and practitioners but also opened up new professional opportunities for Adam. This represents a significant step forward in the field of natural language processing and artificial intelligence.

Matfyz AI Designs Understandable Legal Texts

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University, in collaboration with lawyers from Frank Bold, has introduced a revolutionary Czech AI tool for writing understandable legal texts. After more than two years of development, the free PONK application (Client-Oriented Writing) is now available. This tool identifies problematic areas in text and suggests revisions, enabling lawyers, officials, police officers, and other authors to share legal information with laypersons clearly and comprehensibly.

A Summit of AI Research in Prague

Join us at Prague Synapse 2025 – the 1st Prague Workshop on Neural Networks and Reasoning, taking place from July 10–12, 2025. This international event brings together leading minds from top institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, ETH Zurich, and Johns Hopkins. Participation is free of charge – don’t miss the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research at the intersection of neural networks and reasoning in the heart of Europe.

Join Hybrid Foundation Models Workshop

CIIRC CTU, a partner of the ELLIOT and ELIAS projects, is hosting a hybrid workshop on foundation models in Thessaloniki on July 10, 2025. The event will focus on the technical, ethical, and application aspects of models, including scaling and security. Online registration is open until July 9 on the ELIAS project website.

Supporting Young Researchers in Grants

CIIRC CTU and the ROBOPROX project are backing a CTU Faculty of Civil Engineering initiative that helps emerging researchers prepare applications for prestigious grants like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships. The next hybrid seminar, “What will my next project be about?”, is on June 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM, offering participants a chance to present ideas and get feedback.

Secure AI for Your Infrastructure

DataSentics introduced GenAI in a Box – an on-premise platform combining European BullSequana AI servers with integration services. Attendees learned how to securely deploy generative AI within their own infrastructure, ensuring privacy and regulatory compliance. Practical examples of its use in automation, development, customer support, and predictive maintenance were also presented.

A Conference on Change and Solutions is Approaching

This September, Diribet Biennale conference will focus on presenting concrete paths and solutions rather than just discussing change. The opening lecture, “Oeconomia Europaea,” will be delivered by economist and philosopher Tomáš Sedláček. You can look forward to showcasing industrial challenges from the automotive sector (Škoda Auto), solved with AI and applied mathematics. Mark your calendars for September 25th!

Making AI Search Safer for Everyone

Pavel Kordik presented SHIELD at UMAP 2025, a universal framework for safer AI search. Semantic search is becoming widespread, but it carries risks with sensitive items. SHIELD ensures systems understand not only what users are asking for, but also whether they should be helped to find it.

Detecting fraud with AI

Thanks to a solution from Resistant AI, Close Brothers Motor Finance has been able to reduce fraud losses by £800,000. Resistant AI’s technology verifies documents in less than 12 seconds, speeding up loan approvals while strengthening protection against fraudulent applications. The system efficiently identifies fraudulent documents and enables Close Brothers Motor Finance to maintain a speedy process for its customers while ensuring the integrity of its operations.

Recap of Stratox AI Business Roundtable

Stratox’s latest AI Business Roundtable focused on avoiding vendor lock-in and rapidly deploying AI, especially due to current US restrictions. Key points include production-ready AI solutions from day one, a sandbox approach, and fast iterations. We also introduced the AI Maturity Check. Further discussions are planned for September.

Innovation and fun at the Barclays hackathon

At the beginning of June, Barclays Prague hosted its third hackathon, bringing together over 1,400 people and 96 teams from 10 global locations. After two events focused on generative AI, this time the focus was on process redesign. Prague teams coded for 24 hours with incredible energy. The projects of the winning teams, which advanced to the semi-finals, will be judged by a jury of Group ExCo and CIO members.

IT is Transforming Veterinary Care

MSD Animal Health IT in Prague plays a key role in the veterinary care and food industry, supporting the development and distribution of medicines for healthy animals. A team of 15 data scientists solve business challenges using mathematics and algorithms to support drug discovery, clinical trials and animal monitoring. In this way, mathematics helps improve animal health.

How AI Accelerates Drug Development

In an interview with Mirek Hamplem, the new director of MSD’s technology center, you’ll discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerates and streamlines drug development. The interview will offer insights into how modern technology is changing the pharmaceutical industry and what AI innovations MSD is implementing.

Automatic Transcriptions in a Flash: A New Feature in N1NG by Newton Media

Newton Media has integrated automatic transcriptions into N1NG, significantly simplifying work with multimedia content. Thanks to AI, N1NG can now automatically transcribe audio and video recordings into text in just a few minutes. This new feature saves time and enables more efficient work with media content, for example, for research or analysis

🎭 Events we’re excited about

 

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

🧩 Stuff that interests us

White & Case Launches EU AI Act Handbook

AI is rapidly becoming central to businesses across the EU. This shift brings with it the complex EU AI Act, a new regulation with significant penalties for non-compliance, even exceeding GDPR fines. To help companies navigate this intricate legal landscape, White & Case is introducing the EU AI Act Handbook. This guide provides practical advice and an overview of key issues businesses will likely face. The Handbook will be regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in AI regulation.

A Prague Puzzle with Landmarks and Personalities

Immerse yourself in Prague with the relaxing puzzle game “Playing Prague”. This Bohemian puzzle game lets you discover iconic landmarks like the Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock, and meet personalities such as Kafka and Einstein. Playing with cards featuring old Prague houses, the game pays tribute to the thousand-year cultural heritage of the city that gave the world the term “Bohemian.”

Prague Set to Host AI Gigafactory

Czechia is pushing to build one of the European AI gigafactories, slated to be located near Prague. České Radiokomunikace (ČRa) has submitted a project to the European Commission for this massive data center, which is expected to house up to 100,000 of the most powerful AI chips and strengthen the EU’s position in global AI competition.

Generative AI: Still New for Most Czechs and Slovaks

Despite the spread of generative AI, 62% of Czechs and 57% of Slovaks don’t consciously use it. Only 38% of Czechs and 43% of Slovaks have occasional experience with it, primarily younger demographics. Tools like ChatGPT are used daily by only 7% of Czechs and 11% of Slovaks. AI usage declines with age. More in new CEDMO Trends survey.

How to Successfully Implement AI in Companies? An Expert from PwC Advises

Implementing AI in businesses is crucial, though Czech companies often face hurdles like waning enthusiasm, regulations, or employee distrust. However, Tomáš Fiala from PwC advises that with the right approach and strategic planning, AI can be successfully integrated even in the Czech environment, fully leveraging its potential.

📢 Community calls

Turn Your AI Agent into a Product in One Day: From1tomany.com Hackathon

Have you created an AI agent and are wondering how to turn it into a product? The online hackathon From1tomany.com will show you how! In just one day, you’ll learn to build a functional MVP (Minimum Viable Product) from your agent. You’ll cover everything from creating a presentation website, deploying your agent to the cloud, to publishing the user interface. Join us online on Friday, August 1st, and turn your idea into a reality!

IEEE RAS Summer School

Join the IEEE RAS Summer School 2025 (July 30 – August 5), focusing on multi-robot systems. Aimed at students and professionals, the event features expert lectures and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art aerial platforms, promoting practical applications and networking.

AI RISE: Open Calls for SMEs and Startups in AI

The AI RISE (AI Redesign Initiative for Smart Europe) platform has launched open calls to support European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in adopting artificial intelligence (AI). Companies can apply for technical support, funding, and training. The program specifically targets AI applications in areas such as industrial manufacturing, robotics, and energy. AI RISE aims to facilitate AI adoption across the European economy. Details regarding deadlines and conditions are available on their website.

EuroHPC: Boosting AI Supercomputing and Factories 

The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) has launched a call for hosting entities to acquire or upgrade EuroHPC supercomputers with AI capabilities and establish associated “AI Factories.” The call is open until the end of 2025. The aim is to either build an AI factory around a new supercomputer or upgrade an existing one. The EU has allocated up to EUR 800 million from the Digital Europe Programme for this, with an additional EUR 180 million from Horizon Europe for AI factory operations, capping at EUR 15 million per factory.

💼 Open job positions

Artificial Intelligence Center FEE CTU

 

Charles University

 

CIIRC 

Apify

 

Blindspot AI

Datamole

 

DataSentics

ententee

Make

MAMA AI

Qminers

Recombee

Resistant AI

Aricoma

Barclays

EY

Equilibre Technologies

ČEPS

Dataclair O2

MSD

PwC

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