Prime Highlights :
Open innovation is being adopted more and more by Belgian companies, and 90% are working with startups to enhance their AI initiatives.
Although collaboration is robust, merely 41% emphasize embedding AI in core business activities, the lowest among surveyed European nations.
Key Facts :
67% of Belgian companies are investigating diagnostic AI projects, almost twice the 34% European average.
More than 50% of Belgian businesses are launching or planning Generative AI projects, adding up to €50 billion to the economy over the next decade.
Key Background :
Belgian companies are experiencing a significant change by embracing open innovation approaches to speed up their artificial intelligence (AI) processes. In a recent survey conducted by Sopra Steria, 90% of Belgian organizations highlighted working with startups as a key priority, showing an increased drive for external collaboration and knowledge sharing. This percentage is higher than the European average and suggests high demand for innovative ecosystems.
While this is eagerness for collaboration, Belgian firms have relatively weak inclination toward integrating AI into their essential business processes. Just 41% of firms see the integration of AI as an important imperative, representing the lowest percentage of 12 European nations covered by a survey. This contrast indicates that companies are ready to investigate AI technologies but are hesitant or sluggish in using them to directly deliver business functions.
On the application side, Belgium takes the lead in diagnostic AI use cases, with 67% of companies actively working on such projects—nearly double the 34% European average. Additionally, more than half of the Belgian firms surveyed are implementing or planning to implement Generative AI solutions, a type of AI that will change industries by creating content and ideas. These initiatives are projected to contribute up to €50 billion to the Belgian economy over the next ten years, underscoring AI’s transformative potential.
Experts in the industry point out that open innovation is not a new idea but increasingly important with the emergence of AI technologies. Innovative companies are aware that using external collaborations shortens innovation time and increases competitive strength. Consequently, open innovation is shifting from an exception to a norm, fueling technological advancement as well as economic development in Belgium.
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