History of Artificial Intelligence in Europe: the Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence (ACIA)

The creation of the Catalan Association for Artificial Intelligence (ACIA) was driven not only by practical and scientific objectives, but also by a powerful symbolic vision. It showcases the potential of Catalan society to produce innovative ideas and add value on a global scale. This paper illustrates the pivotal role of the ACIA in the development and consolidation of artificial intelligence (AI) research in Catalonia and across Europe. Founded in 1994, ACIA emerged from the need to create a cohesive AI research community in Catalan-speaking territories and to promote AI literacy. Over the past three decades, ACIA has made significant contributions to AI research through initiatives detailed in this paper, such as the International Conference on AI (CCIA), the magazine NODES , the Marc Esteva Vivanco Award for the Best PhD thesis in AI, and the donesIAcat working group. By presenting these initiatives, analyzing the evolution of AI research topics in Catalonia, and detailing ACIA’s involvement in Europe—including its role within EurAI and its industrial and international impact—, this article highlights how local AI societies contribute to the advancement of AI in Europe while preserving their unique cultural and academic identities. Finally, the future evolution of AI in Europe is discussed.