Georgian Technical University Hosts Large-Scale International Training: “FORGE AI UPLIFT PROGRAM No. 2”

Georgian Technical University will host “Forge AI Uplift Program No. 2”, an intensive training program focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The two-day event (November 3–4, 2026) aims to foster AI technology development, an ecosystem for innovative startups, and research management.

The event brings together leading Georgian and international organizations, including the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Creative Cluster, and Triathlon, as well as the Digital Governance Agency (YNN), the Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SR).

The event will be held at the Georgian Technical University (participants will be informed of the exact address and room number following registration).

Key program themes and agenda.

November 3 (Tuesday) – Startup Ecosystem and Practical Workshops. The first day of the event will be entirely dedicated to the fundamentals of technology-based business:

• Successful Georgian Case Studies: Participants will learn from the experiences of successful local startups (Helio AI/DAL).
• World Café: Three rotating discussion tables will be set up, where mentors will assist participants in addressing challenges related to technical aspects (Minimum Viable Product – MVP, prototyping, tech stack, scaling), business (market fit, pricing, attracting clients), and soft skills (leadership, communication, teamwork).
• Startup Problem-Solving Clinics: Teams will work on specific challenges and, together with mentors, develop a 3-step action plan.
• Pitching Session: At the end of the day, participants will present their projects to a jury and the audience.

November 4 (Wednesday) – Research Management and European Regulations (EU AI Act). The second day will be dedicated to the support of research activities and legal frameworks:

• Workshop for research managers: discussion of innovation and entrepreneurship support services.
• Funding tools: European and Georgian grant opportunities for research mobility.
• Writing projects: a practical seminar will be held on the preparation of research and innovation project applications (Research and Innovation Proposal).
• EU AI Act: special attention will be paid to European regulations, data protection (GDPR), their implementation, and the Georgian perspective. We will also present experience in artificial intelligence development in Armenia.

At the end of the day, the project team will hold a working meeting with the researchers to be sent on business trips(secondees). Issues of organizing scientific (secondments) will be discussed at the meeting.