On May 4th, the official launch ceremony for Portugal’s Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²) took place at Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon. The new agency is the result of a strategic merger between the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI).
The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, and the Minister of Economy and of Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, participated in the ceremony, as the new agency will be overseen by the two ministries, to bridge science, innovation and economy.
Castro de Almeida announced the awarding of the Medal of Scientific Merit to the presidents of the two now-extinct institutions, Madalena Alves (FCT) and António Grilo (ANI), highlighting their contribution to the Portuguese scientific system.
The AI² agency will be led by João Barros, former CMU Portugal National Co-Director and Associate Director of CMU-Africa, who highlighted during the event that the new agency has a crucial role in preparing the country’s scientific and innovation ecosystem for the next decade.
In his address, he emphasized the need to strengthen ties among research units, universities, and companies, expand the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and boost technology-based entrepreneurship. In this administration, Barros will be supported by Teresa Pinto Correia and Maria Moura Oliveira as Vice‑Presidents, and António Bob Santos and Luís Sarmento as Executive Members.
CMU Portugal’s current National Co-Directors, Inês Lynce and João Magalhães, attended the ceremony to support their former colleague in this new role and celebrate the mission of the AI² agency.
“João’s appointment as head of AI² is an outstanding choice for the future of Portuguese innovation. His deep understanding of how universities, research units, and companies intersect perfectly aligns with the mission of this new agency. As CMU Portugal continues to foster high-level research and talent, we look forward to collaborating with AI² and supporting the new board in this exciting and crucial new chapter.”, stated João Magalhães.
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In the media (in Portuguese): Observador; PT Green; Público; Renascença