Honoring a New Chapter: ECAIRE, VV-AI, and ReadyAI Sign MOU with Oliveira do Hospital

In the heart of summer and under the vibrant energy of EXPOH 2025, a powerful step forward was taken for digital education and AI innovation in Portugal. ECAIRE, alongside partners VV-AI and ReadyAI, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Municipality of Oliveira do Hospital — a moment that marks the beginning of a long-term partnership to shape the region’s future through artificial intelligence, education, and community transformation.

The agreement was formalized at the city’s open-doors festival, EXPOH, an event known for its blend of tradition, innovation, and civic pride. As visitors explored the best of Oliveira do Hospital’s food, culture, and industry, a new future quietly began to take shape: one where the municipality aims to become the first in Portugal to fully prepare its population — especially its youth — for the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.

At the signing ceremony, municipal leaders spoke with conviction about their mission to equip local schools, educators, and families with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate a digital world. The mayor and city officials emphasized the importance of putting young people at the center of this transformation. ECAIRE, VV-AI, and ReadyAI echoed this vision, committing their expertise and resources to help embed AI education across school curricula and community programming.

This partnership will include teacher training programs, AI literacy courses for students, and support for civic projects that apply emerging technologies to real-world challenges. It builds on the success of initiatives like WAICY Europe 2025, where students in Fundão showcased the power of project-based learning and ethical AI design. For Oliveira do Hospital, the message is clear: this is about empowerment, inclusion, and creating real access to the future.

The MOU signing isn’t just a ceremonial step. It’s the foundation of a shared vision — one that connects local leadership with global expertise to bring lasting impact to the region. As this partnership grows, Oliveira do Hospital is set to become a model for how smaller municipalities can lead boldly in preparing communities for the age of AI, not by waiting, but by building the future hand in hand with its people.