About VAIA
Mission: what we do
VAIA accelerates the adoption of AI in Flemish companies and organisations by gathering and redistributing a broad and relevant range of AI training courses for professionals in Flanders.
We help training organisations tailor their courses to meet current and future AI needs, by providing insights into the AI training requirements of different professional sectors and connecting them with AI expertise from academia and industry.
As a bridge-builder, we facilitate the smooth exchange of AI knowledge between academics and businesses. In this way, we promote lifelong learning in Flanders and make AI knowledge accessible for everyone.
Vision
For years, the universities and research centres in Flanders have been conducting high-quality academic research into artificial intelligence (AI). Although this expertise is very much available, the present knowledge of applied AI in the Flemish business community, non-profit sector and government is still too limited.
We want Flemish employees to have the necessary information and skills to incorporate technological innovations into their work. Not only will it increase Flanders’ economic strength, but it will also render it future-proof.
Governance
VAIA is part of the Flemish AI Policy Plan, and receives additional funding of the Belgian AI Factory Antenna and Centre for Public Impact. VAIA is managed by a steering committee that contains a representative of each involved partner.
Steering Committee
- universities in Flanders & Flemish Council for Universities for Applied Sciences and Arts
- Agoria, UNIZO, Voka, Vlaams Agentschap VLAIO
- Flemish Department for "Work, Economics, Science, Innovation & Social Economics"
- Flemish Department "Education & Training"
Chairman is Prof. Bart De Moor, full professor at KU Leuven STADIUS, and co-author of the Flemish Policy Plan for Artificial Intelligence.
Flemish Policy Plan AI
Flanders AI Academy is part of the pillar ‘Awareness, training and ethical framework’ of the Flemish AI Policy Plan, unfolded by the Flemish Government in 2020. VAIA started its activities in 2021.
Belgian AI Factory Antenna
As of 2026 VAIA is also in the lead of Work Package 2 "Training & Talent Development" of the "Belgian AI Factory Antenna".
AI Opportunity Fund
Within project "From AI to Z: AI training for librarians", in collaboration with Hub-C from Cultuurconnect, VAIA receives financing to provide AI training to 300 librarians in Flanders.
About artificial intelligence
VAIA is committed to lifelong learning about everything artificial intelligence, including - but not limited to - generative AI, the AI tools that generate new content and are currently making waves. VAIA also focuses on the other technologies under the AI umbrella, such as machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, robotics, and many more. Since AI uses data, we ta