Strategies
Update 30.12.2025Learn about all the current digital strategies, as well as their respective action plans.
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Last update of the initiative: 20/06/2022
The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, published in 2019, aims to promote and mobilise society at large around education and research, innovation, and the development of AI-based products and services. It is aligned with the EU Action Plan on AI and those of its Member States, promoting the use of AI technologies to address global challenges such as health, climate, agriculture, and cybersecurity.
The strategy revolves around four main interaction processes:
Process #1
Portugal is highly attractive to young companies and international production units, with strong potential for further improvement. These units operate across different sectors and require the development of specialised AI software and high-tech devices for export. Collaboration with academia is growing along two main axes: joint research funding (collaborative projects and CoLABs) and qualification pipelines.
Process #2
The development of this ecosystem will drive higher levels of innovation across a wide range of companies and organisations, including startups, SMEs, and the public sector, through business networking and mature collaboration platforms with academia. These include on-demand AI pipelines and Digital Innovation Hubs. Expected outcomes include an increase in patents and the multiplication of innovation-driven businesses.
Process #3
AI research potential and related fields will expand due to increased private investment and the added value generated by challenges brought by innovative companies. Researchers will also gain a clearer vision of the future of AI as a fundamental scientific field. Expected results include greater attraction of research talent (and, consequently, professional talent), increased impact of scientific publications, and stronger participation in international networks of research excellence. These scientific results will, in turn, feed back into productive sectors.
Process #4
Academia, independently and in collaboration with industry, will expand its capacity and develop AI qualification programmes at different levels. Other educational institutions, across all levels of education, will also be encouraged to invest in upskilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning, fostering tailored qualifications. As a result, Portugal will increase qualification levels and knowledge-intensive employment.
Over the next decade, AI technologies should be widely available to improve process efficiency and service quality across SMEs, public services, and for all citizens. This requires workforce upskilling and ensuring that Portugal remains at the forefront of AI education for all.
Ambition
To explore the full potential of Artificial Intelligence in the economy and society, as well as its application in areas such as sustainable energy networks, cities, forests and oceans, mobility, autonomous driving, and health.
Its growing adoption also requires reinforcing Portugal’s leading position in AI research within academia and upskilling the workforce to address a new world of opportunities and emerging jobs.
Seven Pillars of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Inclusion and Education
Widespread dissemination of AI knowledge, providing the foundations for AI education, promoting STEM literacy, and encouraging early acquisition of coding skills.
Skills Development and Specialisation
Increasing the overall number of qualified ICT and AI professionals across all education levels; enabling skills transfer from academia to industry; enhancing Portugal’s attractiveness to international talent; and promoting experimentation with new AI ideas and concepts.
Thematic Areas for Research and Innovation in European and International Networks
Building a strong research-driven ecosystem involving companies, academia, the public sector, and society, including startups, scale-ups, and established companies, and identifying strategic research lines that support long-term AI development.
Modernisation of Public Administration
Promoting innovative solutions for administrative simplification, strengthening public sector skills in AI and data science, and fostering collaboration between public entities, companies, and research units in the use of AI.
Areas of Specialisation in Portugal with International Impact
Affirming Portugal’s international leadership in areas with strong economic impact through joint actions between companies and academia focused on innovation, cutting-edge research, and participation in international networks.
Fundamental Research for the Future of AI
Increasing the impact of Portuguese AI research, attracting ERC AI grants to Portugal, and transferring new technologies to industry while creating new AI-based industries.
New Developments and Support Areas in European and International Networks
Actively contributing to developments in areas such as Advanced Computing, Quantum Materials, and Quantum Computing, while benefiting from international innovation networks.
Ethics and Security
Addressing challenges posed by AI, particularly regarding privacy protection, misuse of advanced AI techniques, and accountability in AI-assisted decision-making.
Critical Success Factors
- Developing AI skills for all through education, lifelong learning, and talent attraction
- Delivering better, evidence-based public services using the large volumes of available data
- Building an AI services economy that enables the creation of data and AI model markets
- Positioning Portugal as a living lab for experimentation in cities, energy, biodiversity, green and blue economy, autonomous driving, cybersecurity, health, and industry
- Securing AI market niches through specialised services in Portugal (NLP, real-time AI, AI for software development, edge AI)
- Contributing to new knowledge through AI research and innovation
- Increasing collaborative AI projects between academia and the public and private sectors
- Increasing patents and innovation-driven AI businesses
- Attracting specialised AI talent
- Increasing AI-related scientific publications in international research networks
- Raising qualification levels and employment in AI-related fields
Promoters
Coordinating entity:
