Progress in Implementing the European Union Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (Volume 1): Portugal

Table of contents

• Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union
• Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market
• Ensure AI technologies work for people
• Build strategic leadership in priority sectors

The European Union (EU) Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a strategic initiative by the European Commission and EU Member States to promote AI development, investment and co-operation. In 2024, the OECD conducted a survey and interviews to take stock of implementation progress made by the EU Member States in implementing the actions set in the EU Coordinated Plan on AI. Drawing on the information collected, the OECD prepared country notes for each EU Member State. This document presents the country note for Portugal, which summarises key initiatives and implementation progress.

Key messages

• Artificial intelligence (AI) strategy under review: Portugal’s strategy (AI Portugal 2030), established in 2019, outlines a framework for AI development across five pillars: inclusion and education, skills development, research and innovation (R&I), public administration modernisation, and ethics and safety. It aims to strengthen AI capabilities in both the public and private sectors by focusing on skills, technologies and infrastructure. The strategy is currently under review to address emerging trends, including generative AI, with a revision expected to be published in 2025.

• Investment in high-performance computing (HPC) and quantum research: Portugal has expanded its computing infrastructure, including HPC capabilities and investments in quantum research. Supported by the national strategy for advanced computing, by research centres dedicated to AI and by the installation of the Deucalion supercomputer, these initiatives are fostering the development of AI applications across areas like climate, health and mobility.

• Strengthening data infrastructure and cloud adoption: Portugal’s Cloud Strategy for Public Administration promotes secure and efficient cloud use in government, improving data-sharing capabilities and establishing a strong foundation for ongoing digital transformation. Investment in a new data centre aims to expand Portugal’s capacity for AI-driven applications across sectors.

• Developing a skilled AI workforce: Initiatives within the AI strategy emphasise digital literacy and skills development, with a commitment to expanding the talent pool to meet sectoral demands and to equip public administration personnel with essential AI skills for modernisation.

• Collaborative innovation ecosystem: Portugal facilitates AI development through the national nodes of the European Digital Innovation Hub Network (EDIH Network) and the National Network of Test Beds. These initiatives support cross-sector collaboration between academia, start-ups and industries, providing infrastructure to test and refine AI applications in real-world settings.

• Sectoral implementation: Portugal is advancing AI-driven innovation across strategic sectors through targeted initiatives. In healthcare, projects like the health data lake and participation in the EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages (EUCAIM) enhance data infrastructure for AI applications. The public sector features multiple AI projects, including the gIAp Intelligent Solution and Social Security Chatbot improving citizen services. Mobility initiatives such as the Route 25 project develop autonomous transport systems, while agricultural projects such as AGRISPACE and Clean Forest apply AI for precision agriculture and forest protection.

Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union

Acquire, pool and share policy insights

Portugal’s AI strategy, AI Portugal 2030, was adopted in 2019. The strategy is structured around five core pillars: i) inclusion and education; ii) qualification and specialisation; iii) R&I; iv) public administration modernisation; and v) ethics and safety. The strategy aims to strengthen AI capabilities in both the public and private sectors, focusing on developing skills, technologies and infrastructure necessary for widespread AI adoption. It addresses the following sectors as a priority: energy, environment, industry, transport, mobility, security and health.

The strategy is co‑ordinated by the INCoDe.2030 initiative, in co‑operation with the Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), the National Innovation Agency (Agência Nacional de Inovação) and the Administrative Modernisation Agency (Agência para a Modernização Administrativa) (Portugal INCoDe.2030, n.d.[1]). INCoDe.2030 operates under a structured governance model, with strategic oversight from the member of the government responsible for the economy and digital transition, alongside counterparts in science, technology, higher education, labour and social security. INCoDe.2030 is supported by a technical secretariat and a permanent Forum for Digital Skills, which promotes digital skill initiatives.  

Financed by the Portuguese State Budget, with contributions from European Union (EU) funding, the strategy’s estimated annual expenditure ranges between EUR 1 million and EUR 10 million. Notably, 22% of the total allocated budget, approximately EUR 3.66 million, is directed at driving digital transformation in both the public and private sectors. Key objectives include expanding digital inclusion through education, digital skills training and literacy, alongside driving digital adoption across businesses and within the public administration.

While specific policies and initiatives within the strategy have been monitored by relevant ministries, the absence of a formal action plan and related targets has limited systematic tracking of implementation. The strategy is currently being updated to become a national AI agenda, which will include an action plan, developed in consultation with stakeholders from the private and public sectors and academia. The revision process, which began in 2023, is part of a broader effort to align with emerging trends and technologies, including the development of a national digital strategy and biennial action plans.

Tap into the potential of data and foster critical computing capacity

The Portuguese government is building a supportive infrastructure for AI development and data-driven innovation through targeted strategies that promote ethical data use, secure data sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. Key initiatives focus on HPC and quantum research and the development of a new data centre to support AI and data-driven innovation.

Table 1. Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding)
National Data Strategy	Final approval phase	The National Data Strategy envisions a governance model designed to foster a collaborative and dynamic ecosystem that promotes data altruism and creates synergies among stakeholders. A key pillar of the strategy, “Governance”, aims to: i) establish robust guidelines for the ethical and efficient management of data, ensuring reliability and security throughout its lifecycle; ii) foster effective collaboration between stakeholders to facilitate data and resource sharing in ways that drive innovation and value creation; and iii) implement continuous monitoring of data initiatives, using models to assess the impact of these actions on society and the economy (Portugal Digital, 2022[2]).	Not reported
Cloud Strategy for Public Administration	2020	The strategy outlines a set of tools to promote sustainable cloud adoption: i) a governance model to align objectives across agencies and co‑ordinate implementation; ii) an adoption framework to guide decisions on system migration to the cloud; iii) a human resources qualification plan to ensure skilled personnel are prepared for cloud-related challenges; iv) updated procurement and accounting processes, including legislative changes to simplify cloud service acquisition; v) standardised tender documents and framework agreements for contracting cloud services; vi) monitoring tools to evaluate, manage and control cloud contracts with visibility into costs and usage; and vii) an awareness model to reduce hesitation around cloud adoption. To support these objectives, working groups with representatives from various government sectors have been established (Government of Portugal, 2020[3]).	Not reported
Deucalion	2023	In September 2023, Portugal’s most powerful supercomputer, Deucalion, was installed at the University of Minho. Capable of 10 petaflops (10 million billion calculations per second), Deucalion has expanded Portugal’s HPC capacity tenfold. It enables advanced simulations and modelling across a wide range of scientific fields, including personalised medicine, drug and material design, environmental monitoring (such as Earth and ocean observation), climate change mitigation and the development of Smart Cities and autonomous vehicles. Additionally, Deucalion accelerates the analysis of large data volumes using advanced AI algorithms (Government of Portugal, 2023[4]).	EUR 20 million (35% from the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) and 65% from the state budget and Foundation for Science and Technology)
Advanced Computing Portugal 2030 (ACP.2030)	2022	Portugal’s national strategy for advanced computing aims to create a robust HPC infrastructure, drive R&I and foster international collaboration. The strategy highlights the importance of developing appropriate infrastructure, building a skilled workforce and cultivating a culture that recognises advanced computing as essential to research and industry. Key areas of focus include: i) establishing a supercomputing network with data centres to support R&I; ii) developing and retaining talent with advanced computing skills; and iii) creating a policy “info-structure” to bridge infrastructure and users, enabling high-value services and software. The strategy plays a critical role in promoting advanced scientific computing and data processing across various domains, including industry, academia, health, climate, energy, mobility and social sciences (Portugal Digital, 2022[5]).	Not reported
National Center for Advanced Computing (CNCA)	In development	The centre aims to play a crucial role in supporting research and higher education by providing state-of-the-art computing resources. A new 500‑square‑metre science data centre is being developed for the CNCA (Portugal INCoDe.2030, 2025[6]).	EUR 5 million for the new science data centre
Portuguese Quantum Institute (PQI)	2023	The PQI is a new research institution founded by the Instituto Superior Técnico, the engineering and technology school of the University of Lisbon (PQI, 2024[7]). It conducts theoretical research in quantum networks, quantum computation and quantum sensing. It engages both private and public stakeholders in quantum technology initiatives, offers training programmes and participates in international quantum science and technology projects. Additionally, the PQI seeks to increase public understanding of quantum technologies, particularly among Portuguese audiences.	Not reported
Portuguese Quantum Communications Infrastructure (PTQCI)	2023	Led by the National Security Office (Gabinete Nacional de Segurança), the PTQCI establishes a national consortium that includes public entities, academic institutions, research and development (R&D) entities and businesses to advance quantum communication technologies in Portugal (PTQCI, 2024[8]).	Not reported
National Strategy for Semiconductors	2024	This strategy aims to enhance Portugal’s semiconductor sector, contributing to EU resilience and strategic autonomy. It is managed by the FCT and the National Innovation Agency (ANI). It also sets strategic actions to increase industrial involvement and promote national scientific and technological advancements in innovative fields.	Up to EUR 121 million (between 2024 and 2027)
Order No. 11808/2023	2023	The Portuguese government has outlined several initiatives to enhance investment in data centres and the broader data economy ecosystem. These initiatives include: i) simplifying the installation process for national and international submarine cables to improve connectivity; ii) reinforcing land routes that connect Portugal to other regions, enhancing data flow and connectivity; and iii) promoting the establishment and expansion of data centres, leveraging Portugal’s strategic geographic location (Government of Portugal, 2023[9]).	Not reported

Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market

The Portuguese government is fostering a comprehensive ecosystem to support AI development, combining access to HPC facilities alongside specialised innovation hubs and testing environments. The country is actively investing in responsible AI development and digitalisation across sectors through dedicated AI research centres and targeted funding mechanisms. These efforts foster collaboration among academia, start-ups and industry, advancing AI adoption and supporting innovation across key economic sectors.

Box 1. In focus: The Center for Responsible AI

Launched in 2023, Portugal’s Center for Responsible AI is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing ethical, transparent and sustainable AI technologies. This consortium brings together ten AI start-ups, including two unicorns, eight research centres, a law firm and five industry leaders from sectors such as life sciences, tourism and retail. Collectively, these partners are developing 21 innovative AI products that prioritise principles of fairness, explainability and sustainability.

The centre serves as a hub for cross-sector collaboration, where innovative solutions are tested and refined with an emphasis on social responsibility and trustworthiness. By fostering partnerships between start-ups, academia and established companies, the centre enables a diverse range of partners to co-develop responsible AI solutions addressing real-world challenges.

Funded through the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), under the NextGenerationEU programme, the Center for Responsible AI underscores Portugal’s commitment to harnessing AI for positive social impact and economic growth.

Source: Center for Responsible AI (2025[10]), Homepage, https://centerforresponsible.ai/ (accessed on 5 January 2025) .

Table 2. Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Centre of Excellence for AI R&D	In development	The Centre of Excellence for AI R&D in Portugal is currently under development. This centre aims to enhance Portugal’s AI innovation ecosystem through dedicated R&D in AI technologies.	Not reported
National Network for Advanced Computing (RNCA) supercomputers and cloud access	2020 -ongoing	This is a call from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology to facilitate access to the RNCA for AI-related projects. These projects will benefit from RNCA HPC and cloud infrastructure, significantly supporting advanced AI research in Portugal. This call was first made in 2020 and has been renewed every year (FCT, 2020[11]).	Not reported
National nodes of the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (EDIH Network)	2021	The national network of EDIHs in Portugal focuses on the adoption of advanced digital technologies such as AI, HPC, cloud computing and cybersecurity. These hubs are supported by ANI and the Testing Experimental Facility for AI (ANI, 2025[12]).	Not reported
Attract Digital Innovation Hub	2022	As part of the EDIH Network, the Attract Digital Innovation Hub for AI and HPC supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public entities in their digital transformation through the full exploitation of the synergetic potential between AI and HPC (EDIH Network, 2024[13]).	EUR 6 million
National Network of Test Beds	2022	The network in Portugal complements the EDIH Network by fostering experimentation and adoption of AI technologies. This initiative aims to accelerate AI and digital transformation through targeted programmes, providing infrastructure and equipment for testing and experimentation of new technologies, products and services in real environments. The network supports collaboration between companies, research centres and academic institutions, promoting the development and modernisation of strategic sectors (Start PME, 2024[14]).	Not reported
R&D funds for data science and AI	2024	Key allocations of national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology for AI and data science R&D include funds to support collaborative projects aimed at integrating AI and data science into public administration and improve efficiency and service delivery and funds for projects in collaboration with Google. This funding is aimed to foster innovation and development in AI technologies through joint initiatives (FCT, 2024[15]).	EUR 10 million (2018‑20) for public administration-scientific partnerships; EUR 2 million (2022‑23) for projects with Google
StartupHub portal	2019 -ongoing	The StartupHub portal in Portugal is a comprehensive platform designed to map the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. It helps in identifying and geolocating start-ups and incubators, as well as benchmarking public and private initiatives that promote entrepreneurship. This portal aggregates information on start-ups, investors, acceleration programmes, incubators and support measures, providing a detailed and real-time representation of the Portuguese start-up scene. It facilitates connections between various ecosystem players, fostering collaboration and mutual support (Startup Porugal, 2020[16]).	Not reported

Ensure AI technologies work for people

Nurture talent and improve the supply of skills necessary to enable a thriving AI ecosystem

The Portuguese government is strengthening its digital and AI skills ecosystem with a particular emphasis on modernising public administration through specialised AI and digital training programmes. Additional initiatives support digital literacy in schools and workforce development through reskilling programmes to meet labour market demands.

Table 3. Ensure AI technologies work for people: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Female Engineers for a Day (not AI‑specific)	2017 -ongoing	This programme targets elementary and secondary female school students to challenge gender stereotypes in engineering and information and communication technology (ICT) through hands-on activities, mentoring and professional experiences in collaboration with schools and municipalities (Portugal INCoDe.2030, 2022[17]).	Public funding and partnerships with private sector
ubbu (not AI‑specific)	2015 -ongoing	The ubbu project primarily focuses on teaching computer science and programming to students in the 1st and 2nd cycles of basic education in Portugal. It aims to address digital exclusion, school failure, dropout rates and youth unemployment by training teachers and promoting digital literacy among students. The curriculum includes programming concepts such as algorithms, events, variables and functions, taught through animated videos, games, exercises and quizzes (ubbu, 2025[18]).	Not reported
Happy Code	2017 -ongoing	This technology and programming school that uses science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) methodology to teach programming, application development, robotics and video production to children over 5 years old (Happy Code, 2024[19]).	Not reported
Technovation Girls Portugal (not AI‑specific)	2018 -ongoing	A global programme designed to empower girls aged 8‑18 to identify and address social issues by creating technology-based solutions. The programme has been running in Portugal since 2018 and was relaunched in 2022 to reach even more participants. In 2023, around 400 students and 100 mentors participated across 14 districts and 60 localities. Students from more than 110 educational establishments took part, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. Out of the participating teams, 59 delivered complete technological and entrepreneurial projects, and 7 Portuguese teams advanced to the world semi-finalist stage (Technonovation Girls Portugal, 2024[20]).	Not reported
AP Digital	2022 -ongoing	The AP Digital programme in Portugal is designed to enhance the digital skills of public sector employees, thereby accelerating the digital transformation within public administration. Key aspects include: i) digital productivity tools: training employees to use digital tools effectively to improve productivity; ii) technical specialised training: for IT professionals and those in related roles within the public sector; and iii) emerging technologies: educating employees about new and emerging technologies to support innovative solutions in public administration (Portugal INCoDe.2030, 2025[21]).	Not reported
INA training programmes	2021	Thess programmes provides training for public sector employees in AI, blockchain, quantum technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and data science, helping them adapt to digital trends and manage digital procurement.	EUR 8.4 million (includes funding for the AI Business School)
AI Business School for Public Administration	2023	Launched by the National Institute of Administration (Instituto Nacional de Administração) in partnership with six higher education institutions and Microsoft, this programme equips senior public sector leaders with essential AI skills, focusing on ethical use and effective project management. It aims to bridge the digital skills gap in public administration, covering topics such as data analysis, projection tools and intelligent bots to support modernisation and efficiency.	Funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan
Administrative Modernisation Agency (AMA) Academy	2019 -ongoing	Launched by the AMA, the academy provides training for public service staff in Portugal and abroad. It includes a course on the integration of AI and human intelligence in customer service (Academia AMA, 2025[22]).	Not reported
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration (DSAIPA)	2020	The programme was specifically designed and implemented in order to develop and attract talent in projects involving public administration organisations. It aims to leverage data science and AI to improve decision making and public policy (FCT, 2020[23]).	Not reported
Science + Training	2024	The Science + Training programme in Portugal promotes the development of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem within higher education institutions. It supports basic research, promotes knowledge transfer, reduces researcher precariousness and strengthens the link between companies and society. The programme includes calls for talent attraction and retention programmes ERC-Portugal and FCT-Tenure (FCT, 2024[24]).	EUR 45 million from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)
Science + Digital	2024	This initiative aims to accelerate the digital transformation and digitalisation of science and the services that support the National Scientific and Technological System. The programme includes the completion of 94 projects funded under Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Public Administration Programme (AI4PA Portugal), the launch of 50 new courses offered through the national platform for massive online courses (NAU), benefitting from a newly developed technological infrastructure; and the implementation of the National Programme for Open Science and Open Research Data (PNCADAI) (FCT, 2024[24]).	EUR 48 million from the RRF

Build strategic leadership in priority sectors

Portugal is advancing AI-driven innovation in priority sectors, with strategic initiatives supporting energy, mobility, health agriculture and public sector applications. Efforts focus on sustainable resource management, including precision agriculture and intelligent transport systems, aimed at optimising efficiency and minimising environmental impact. In the public sector, Portugal is implementing AI solutions to enhance public service delivery and accountability while upholding responsible and ethical standards. The implementation of AI in public administration is guided by the 2021 Ethical AI Guide, which sets principles for transparency, accountability and responsible use of AI technologies (AMA, 2021[25]). Through cross-sector collaboration and targeted applications, Portugal is fostering digital transformation and sustainable development across key areas of its economy.

State of AI in healthcare

Portugal’s health data governance framework, part of the 2020 National Strategy for the Health Information Ecosystem (Estratégia Nacional para o Ecossistema de Informação em Saúde), provides a foundation for managing health data and health information systems across the country (Government of Portugal, 2020[26]). The framework prioritises secure, interoperable primary and secondary data use within healthcare, aligning with both national priorities and EU standards such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS) (EC, 2024[27]). Although AI is not yet a formal part of Portugal’s national health plans, the country is actively building the infrastructure necessary to leverage AI for improved patient outcomes. Through its centralised, publicly funded health system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS), overseen by the Ministry of Health and the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (Serviços Partilhados do Ministério de Saúde, SPMS), Portugal is creating a robust health data infrastructure focused on data quality and interoperability.

To support AI integration and interoperability, Portugal has launched projects like the National Health Interoperability Platform, the Clinical Terminology Centre, e-prescription services and various AI-related projects. These platforms standardise data exchange nationally and facilitate real-time communication across the health system (SPMS, 2017[28]; 2017[29]). In addition, Portugal is involved in collaborative EU‑level initiatives, such as HealthData@PT and the EUCAIM project, which advance secondary data use and AI-driven cancer diagnostics through cross-border data sharing (SPMS, 2023[30]; EIBIR, 2023[31]). Participation in EU projects like 1+ Million Genomes further supports personalised medicine using AI, while upcoming efforts like the QUANTUM project are expected to improve data quality for AI applications.

Table 4. Build strategic leadership in priority sectors: Key initiatives

Name	Start year (period covered)	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Climate and environment
National Strategy for Smart Territories (ENTI) (not AI‑specific)	2023	The strategy focuses on the smart management of essential resources (water, mobility, energy) across urban, rural and protected areas by leveraging technological solutions including AI, IoT and fifth generation cellular network technology (5G) networks. It fosters collaboration between local authorities, academia and industry, implementing 16 strategic initiatives and 31 local recommendations for territorial equality. The strategy includes among its objectives the co‑operation between local authorities, companies and academia, promoting the creation of synergies and initiatives, as well as aiming to train and prepare the community to face future challenges. This public policy instrument supports the implementation of a range of strategic initiatives and recommendations that allow anticipating, managing and planning the needs of territories, covering urban and rural areas, in a commitment to promoting territorial equality (AMA, 2023[32]).	EUR 60 million
Health
Second Joint Action Towards the European Health Data Space (TEHDAS2)	2024	This project aims to develop 20 guidelines and technical specifications to support the implementation of the EHDS2 regulation. It focuses on standardising metadata through the adoption of a health Data Catalogue Vocabulary Application Profile (DCAT-AP), harmonising de‑identification procedures and ensuring interoperability for seamless data sharing among health data access bodies, data holders and users within the HealthData@EU ecosystem (Tehdas, 2024[33])	Not reported
International Patient Summary (IPS) and e‑prescription/ e‑dispensation services through MyHealth@EU	2021	Portugal has developed the IPS and e-prescription/e-dispensation services to facilitate the sharing of health information across countries through the MyHealth@EU infrastructure. These services were developed to enhance the cross-border exchange of health information, building on the digital infrastructure and interoperability standards established by the SNS portal. By employing standards like Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR) and SNOMED Clinical Terms, these services achieve semantic interoperability, ensuring that health information is consistently understood across different systems and borders (European Commission, 2024[34])	Not reported
Health data lake	2024	The Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS) are developing a health data lake and access portal to support value-based healthcare, enhance data accessibility and enable interoperability. This initiative aims to facilitate the secondary use of health data for innovation, epidemiological analysis and research, driving advancements in healthcare services and products (LabToMarket©, 2024[35]).	Not reported
EUropean Federation for CAncer Images (EUCAIM)	2023	The EUCAIM project includes 76 partners across 14 countries including Portugal, bringing information from more than 91 000 patients with cancer. EUCAIM’s objective is to build a central repository of cancer images, which will be used to develop and validate AI tools to support clinical decision making, diagnosis and precision medicine (EUCAIM, 2024[36]).	Not reported
Smart Healthy Region Integrated Analytical Platform	2024	This project aims to develop a real-time territorial health intelligence platform that integrates health data for planning, monitoring and executing health policies according to the specific needs of the Oeste Region (SPMS, 2024[37]).	Not reported
Antibiotic prescription pattern recognition	Not reported	This initiative aims to identify and reduce excessive antibiotic prescriptions by using data analytics to detect prescribing patterns that pose a risk of overuse (SPMS, 2025[38]).	Not reported
Derm.AI	2019	Derm.AI is an AI-based project to support the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions. It uses image analysis algorithms to help prioritise severe skin cases, such as suspected skin cancer, through a mobile image acquisition application and a clinical decision support platform (Fraunhofer Portugal, 2025[39]).	Not reported
Scout.AI for SNS24	2019	This AI and natural language processing project is designed to assist nurses at the SNS24 triage and counselling service. It classifies clinical algorithms from incoming calls to support decision making in patient triage and referral (SPMS, 2025[40]).	Not reported
Predictive coding support	Not reported	This AI-powered tool assists medical coders by suggesting the most probable ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. It uses natural language processing to analyse discharge notes and clinical texts from hospital information systems (SPMS, 2025[41]).	Not reported
AI Copilot for Public Procurement	Not reported	This project supports healthcare procurement teams using an AI copilot tool. It helps streamline procurement processes by retrieving summarised insights and links from previous public procedures stored in a SharePoint repository (SPMS, 2025[41]).	Not reported
AI-driven risk management in the national health service	Not reported	This project is aimed at modernising the Portuguese national health service risk management model by applying AI to detect fraud and waste. It cross-references multiple variables and indicators to flag suspicious or inappropriate practices, improving resource management transparency (SPMS, 2025[41]).	Not reported
Public sector
Generative AI virtual assistant on the ePortugal portal	2023	A generative AI assistant was launched on the ePortugal portal, using the ChatGPT 3.5 Turbo model to provide round-the-clock service by responding to citizen inquiries in both text and voice formats. Currently, it handles electronic-identification-related questions, with plans for expansion. ePortugal is the national portal for public services in Portugal, offering a centralised platform for citizens to access a wide range of services and information, such as requesting documents, managing taxes and accessing healthcare services (Governo da República Portuguesa, 2023[42])	EUR 74 000 (from the RRF)
gIAp Intelligent Solution for Face-to-Face Service	2019	This technological tool is aimed at the public sector that uses advanced data analysis and AI to optimise the delivery of public services. It helps balance the demand and supply of onsite services by evaluating service efficiency and proposing improvements based on data-driven scenarios. The gIAp platform has integrated multiple data sources, including feedback from various citizen interaction systems, and continues to evolve by incorporating additional data and service channels.	Not reported
Artificial Intelligence for Better Regulation in the European Union (AI4IA@EU) – PlanAPP project	2021 -ongoing	PlanAPP is an EU-funded initiative led by the public administration planning, policy and foresight competence centre. This project focuses on applying AI to enhance regulatory impact assessments. By leveraging AI, PlanAPP aims to improve the quality and efficiency of regulatory analysis at both the national and European levels. The project collaborates with the NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS) (PLANAPP, 2021[43]).	Not reported
Govtech Justice AI Project	2021	The Govtech project in the justice sector is part of a broader government initiative under the national RRP. This project aims to integrate innovative products and services to enhance the efficiency and agility of justice services. One of the key innovations is an AI-based tool designed to automatically validate documents in nationality application processes. This tool helps streamline the process, reducing the time and effort required for manual validation and improving overall service delivery (Gov Tech, 2021[44]).	Not reported
AEXCIA platform	In development	Over the next two years, the AEXCIA platform, an AI-powered consumer experience management tool, will automate the handling of citizens’ complaints and information requests while analysing consumer behaviour, particularly on social networks. Designed to enhance efficiency, AEXCIA will support regulatory and supervisory activities by providing insights into consumer satisfaction and company conduct, ultimately improving consumer experience management through advanced AI capabilities.	Not reported
Digitalised Yellow Book	In development	This AI-driven project digitises handwritten complaint reports in the public administration’s Yellow Book, aiming to reduce processing time, enhance evaluation standards and extend electronic support for complaints (Yellow Book, 2025[45]). The Yellow Book (Livro Amarelo) is a public administration tool that allows citizens to submit complaints, suggestions and compliments regarding public services. It serves as a formal channel for feedback, helping to improve the quality and accountability of public administration.	EUR 23.65k
Social security chatbot	2020 -ongoing	The chatbot was created during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis to answer citizens’ frequent questions, with future plans for full integration with the Social Security Portal and the addition of live chat options with human agents.	Not reported
General Retirement Fund (Caixa Geral de Aposentações, CGA) AI virtual assistant	2023	The CGA has implemented an AI-based virtual assistant on its portal. This virtual assistant is designed to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs), thereby improving user navigation and reducing wait times for responses. It helps users find the information they need more efficiently and enhances the overall user experience on the CGA portal (CGA, 2023[46]). The CGA is a Portuguese institution responsible for managing the social security regime for public sector employees. This includes handling pensions for retirement, disability and survivors (i.e. eligible dependents such as spouses, children, or other family members of deceased public servants), as well as other special pensions such as those for exceptional and relevant services provided to the country.	Not reported
Mobility
Cooperative Streets	2019(-23)	This project aims to pilot Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) across urban areas to improve safety, decarbonise transportation and promote public transit. Pilots cover multimodal access, parking management, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and smart infrastructure. The main goals of the project are to: i) reduce accidents and incidents; ii) promote decarbonisation; iii) encourage the use of public transportation; and iv) develop MaaS solutions (EC, 2019[47]).	Not reported
Route 25	2022	The Route 25 develops autonomous and connected transport systems, aiming to position Portugal at the forefront of smart and sustainable mobility solutions, it involves a total investment of EUR 80 million and 488 new jobs. This project leverages the R&D of disruptive technological solutions for autonomous, intelligent, interoperable and inclusive mobility. The Route 25 project is scheduled to run until September 2025 (Instituto de Telecomunicações, 2025[48]).	EUR 32.5 million from the RRF (2022‑25)
Agriculture/forestry/rural development
Compete 2030	2021(-27)	This funding programme supports R&I projects, including those focused on developing AI solutions for agriculture. These projects can involve: i) precision agriculture: using AI to optimise planting, irrigation and harvesting; and ii) data analytics: leveraging AI to analyse large datasets such as soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health to enhance decision-making and productivity.	EUR 3.9 million
Clean Forest	2020 -ongoing	This project focuses on the automatic and participatory surveillance of forest fire protection zones, led by NOVA Laboratory for Computer Science and Informatics. This initiative applies AI and augmented reality techniques to minimise the risk and impact of forest fires (Floresta Limpa, 2025[49]).	Not reported
Action Plan for the Sustainable Bioeconomy Horizon 2025	2021	The action plan is a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating the transition of the Portuguese economy to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. To achieve this objective, the plan includes leveraging advanced technologies such as robotics, big data and AI in sectors such as agriculture and forestry (Government of Portugal, 2021[50]).	Funding from Horizon Europe
AGRIculture Data SPACE (AGRISPACE)	2024	The Portuguese AGRISPACE consortium was established as part of the national and EU strategy for the digitalisation of agriculture and aimed particularly at developing a data space for Portuguese agriculture (Government of Portugal, 2024[51]).	Not reported
Data-Driven Agriculture course	2022	The Data-Driven Agriculture course intends to contribute to the digital transformation of agricultural companies in the context of intelligent and precision agriculture. It is a collaborative effort between the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP) and the NOVA university Lisbon NOVA IMS. The course covers various topics, including data collection, data governance, data processing and analysis, as well as technological solutions for digital transition. The course aims to support the digital transformation of agricultural companies through intelligent and precision agriculture techniques.	Not reported

References

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