Artemis: a structured AI approach through Fit 4 AI

Established in Luxembourg in 1991, Artemis Information Management supports international, European, and national organisations in information management, statistical and economic analysis, as well as monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes.

With extensive international experience, the company is particularly active in the fields of official statistics, capacity development, and technical assistance. It relies on a multidisciplinary and multilingual team of data scientists, statisticians, economists, evaluators, and trainers. Artemis collaborates with Eurostat, Statec, LuxDev, ministries, public administrations, and various national, European, and international organisations.

Why a structured AI strategy is essential

Having conducted a diagnosis of the Innovation Management System at the start of 2023 with Luxinnovation, and established a cross-functional "Innovation Task Force" involving all its business lines (data science, evaluation, sales, administration), Artemis has started to implement AI-based tools and processes, including:

• Automated document analysis;
• Assistance with data validation;
• Support in various commercial approaches;
• Natural language processing for report writing.

While the importance of this approach is evident, the company recognises the need for a more structured strategy rather than isolated applications. Hence, there is a focus on developing a comprehensive strategy for the entire organisation, aligned with the transparency and data protection expectations of its clients.

How the Fit 4 AI programme operates

The Fit 4 AI programme is timely in addressing this need. Open to any company established in Luxembourg, regardless of size or sector, the programme involves an external consultant approved by Luxinnovation. The consultant's role is to identify the most relevant AI use cases, assess the data maturity for each, and develop a quantified action plan.

This results in a proposal for a detailed and quantified action plan outlining the next prioritised steps, enabling the company to integrate AI-based tools and solutions into its processes.

Artemis participated in this programme with the consultant DataThings, with two main objectives:

• Enhance internal efficiency by automating tasks and improving process reliability;
• Explore an AI solution for external use, adaptable into a new service offering for clients

"The three-way collaboration with Luxinnovation and DataThings has been excellent. The agency played its role very effectively in supporting and monitoring the process," says Manuel Da Silva, head of the 'Data Science and official statistics' department at Artemis.

A detailed inventory

DataThings' assessment began with an evaluation of Artemis's existing internal capabilities, focusing efforts on identified shortcomings. This phase extended beyond just the "data" aspect, encompassing evaluation professions and transversal or commercial processes. It is crucial for AI to be practically applicable across the entire organisation.

Each proposed avenue was then assessed against reality (e.g., data availability, operational feasibility, compliance) to retain only those that provide real value and are achievable. This was done while considering the imperatives of European regulations (GDPR and AI Act in particular) from the design stage of each idea.

The three-way collaboration with Luxinnovation and DataThings has been excellent. The agency played its role very effectively in supporting and monitoring the process. Manuel Da Silva, Artemis.

The entire process included intermediate approval points at the end of each stage. Artemis, with Luxinnovation's presence, validated the outcomes before advancing to the next phase, allowing for project adjustments as it progressed.

“The success of this collaborative working method was based on the coordination, availability and flexibility of the various stakeholders at DataThings and Artemis," says Sandrine Herbeth, Business Development Manager at Artemis, who coordinated the project throughout.

The process concluded with a final meeting to review the deliverables and results, with Luxinnovation participating to ensure compliance with the programme's specifications.

Four key preparatory steps

Four main steps were taken to achieve this mission:

1. Awareness – Ensuring a basic understanding of AI concepts across the organisation was essential. This initial step was conducted alongside the ideation work.
2. Ideation – Concurrently with the awareness phase, participants proposed ideas related to daily challenges. These ideas were gathered and discussed in a workshop with all departments, establishing an initial list of AI-related opportunities, validated by all.
3. Feasibility – Based on selected ideas, the most relevant and promising use cases were defined following team interviews and evaluations of available data and organisational maturity.
4. Scoping – Each priority use case was detailed (technical options, infrastructure needs, regulatory aspects, expected value, and market research for outward-facing ideas) and a detailed step-by-step roadmap was developed.

Next steps and support from Luxinnovation

The real work begins now for Artemis, as it embarks on implementing this roadmap. Fit 4 AI provided a phase for idea clarification and groundwork preparation. The project's success now lies with the company.

This involves prioritising initiatives, allocating resources, and addressing gaps in skills, data governance, and infrastructure, especially regarding the envisioned internal production model.

Concurrently, outward-looking solutions need their commercial potential validated through market proofs before any significant commitment.

Luxinnovation remains at Artemis's side, offering advice and guidance on the most suitable financial mechanisms (R&D and innovation schemes, intellectual property support, SME aid packages), supporting its ongoing journey.

Interested in the Fit 4 AI programme? Contact Luxinnovation to assess your eligibility and begin the process.