DIH DATAlife is an initiative developed within the framework of the Galician Digital Innovation Hubs Strategy, promoted by the Xunta de Galicia. It acts as a strategic axis to improve the competitiveness of Galician companies through the use of artificial intelligence and big data in the value chains of biotechnology, agro - sea - food, forestry - wood and health.

What is the mission of DATAlife and what are its functions?
DATAlife is the digital innovation hub for Life Sciences, chosen as strategic in 2019 by the Xunta de Galicia, which was born to contribute to the digital transformation of Galician SMEs. In addition, we were established with the vision of turning our community into a bioregion of reference at European level through the connection, coordination and creation of synergies between the agents of the innovation ecosystem and the productive sectors of Galicia.

From the hub we work with the aim of applying, disseminating and promoting the use of disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence or big data, in those SMEs that are within our value chains: agro-mar food, biotechnology, forestry-wood and health-care. We are also committed to those technologies related to data, as we believe that they offer a differentiating potential within the sectors we work with.

In general terms, what are the main technological challenges facing the value chains of the Life Sciences sector in Galicia?

I would highlight the need for training, which is common to all the sectors we work with. They also share the challenge of integrating and getting more out of data from different sources.

What kind of services do you offer companies and what disruptive technologies have you focused on?

We offer diagnostics and digitization plans, advice for the introduction of disruptive technologies, access to financing or specific training content for each sector. In addition, thanks to our technology partners, we provide SMEs with services to test before buying technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, cybersecurity or high performance computing.

In short, we provide a wide range of technological capabilities and services depending on the needs of the entity that comes to DATAlife, in order to find the best technological solution.

It should be noted that the services are 100% financed for those SMEs interested in receiving any of them thanks to the EDIH DATAlife project, which has a budget of almost 5.6 million euros and is financed by the European Commission, with Digital Europe funds, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mincotur), with NextGeneration funds.

What opportunities does Galicia's Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) provide for sectors linked to the bioeconomy and health?

Thanks to this Strategy, Galicia values and supports critical sectors for our future, directing R&D&I efforts to the welfare of people and the environment, based on the double transition: green and digital. This will allow us to develop and test new opportunities and innovative digital solutions aimed at them.

How do you assess the degree of implementation of digitalization in the Galician primary sector?

After making our own diagnosis of digital maturity of the Galician Agro-Mar Food sector, we can say that it is much better digitized than many people think. We know that there is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do when it comes to introducing new technologies in the primary sector, but we also want to emphasize that there are success stories and pioneering experiences in this area.

DATAlife's Strategic Plan 2024-2028 aims to strengthen the innovative ecosystem in Galicia and boost its digitization. What are the strengths of the Community?

Galicia has a very well articulated ecosystem, the hub is an example of this, since in our EDIH DATAlife project we work together clusters, universities, technology centers and SMEs. We also have an excellent technological offer, both in the commercial and R&D fields. In addition, thanks to the support of the public administration, many Galician SMEs are immersed in innovative projects and we have many startups that bring digital products and services to our sectors. I think it is important that these strengths are better known at European level and we are also working on that from DIH DATAlife.