To ensure that artificial intelligence innovation moves seamlessly from the lab to the market, the European Union is establishing world-class Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs). These cutting-edge infrastructures help researchers, companies, and public organizations develop, test, and scale trustworthy AI solutions across key sectors.
Discover what TEFs are and how they are shaping the future of AI in Europe.
Testing and Experimentation Facilities are specialised, large-scale reference sites that provide AI developers, researchers, and companies with the tools and support needed to test and validate cutting-edge AI solutions in real-world conditions.
These facilities are open to technology providers from across Europe and cater to a wide range of AI innovations, including both software and hardware solutions, including robotics systems, autonomous platforms, and AI-driven digital services.
By co-funding TEFs together with Member States, the European Commission ensures these facilities are accessible to a wide ecosystem of developers and innovators. This strengthens Europe’s position as a global leader in trustworthy AI, while enabling the growth of AI solutions that address societal needs, industrial challenges, and regulatory requirements.
The Testing and Experimentation Facilities are designed to support AI innovation in strategic European sectors where trustworthy AI can deliver the greatest impact. Each TEF focuses on providing specialised infrastructure, expertise, and testing environments tailored to its domain.
Safe, controlled environments to test AI-driven diagnostic tools, predictive analytics, and robotic-assisted treatments.
Access to experimental farms and virtual modelling tools for testing AI in precision farming, crop monitoring, and livestock management.
Realistic industrial testbeds for validating AI-powered production systems, predictive maintenance tools, and autonomous robots.
Urban-scale test environments for AI solutions improving mobility, energy efficiency, public safety, and digital public services.
Developing trustworthy AI that meets high European standards for safety, reliability, and ethics requires rigorous testing before deployment. TEFs fill this critical gap by:
TEFs provide real-life operational environments, where tech providers can test and validate their solutions at scale.
Access advanced physical and virtual testing setups tailored to your domain, whether robotics systems, clinical settings, urban infrastructure, or agricultural production lines.
Obtain advise on frameworks that ensure GDPR, medical device, interoperability, and EU AI Act alignment.
Pilot and refine prototypes directly in realistic settings, increasing resilience, flexibility, and readiness for deployment across European markets.
By testing in structured TEF environments, you reduce risk, minimize operational disruptions, and avoid costly trial-and-error.
As part of a pan‑European network of facilities, the TEFs offer visibility across EU-wide innovation networks and showcase your success stories to broader markets.
The Testing and Experimentation Facilities offer a wide range of physical, virtual and consulting services across Europe. Discover more the dedicated catalogue for each TEF.
Anomaly detection
Clinical investigation
Facility rental
People training
Predictive maintenance
Resource optimization
Test design
Test execution
Test setup
AI model training
Collection of test data
Data acquisition & analysis
Data augmentation & enrichment
Data management planning
Data modelling
Documentation and reporting
Provision of datasets
AI testing, evaluation and compliance
Business modelling
Certification
Competitive benchmarking
Conformity assessment
Customer support services
Cybersecurity
Data & AI ethics evaluation
Desk assessment
ELSA assessment
Internal audits of systems/products
LCA assessment
Legal evaluation guidance
Market research
Performance evaluation
Requirement analysis
Risk evaluation
Solution feasibility analysis
Dissemination
Matchmaking
