Kharkiv IT Cluster presented the experience of Ukrainian SMEs at a European Digital SME Alliance ...

May 04, 2026

On April 16, Kharkiv IT Cluster joined the Working Group Digitalisation meeting of the European Digital SME Alliance, where participants discussed how Europe is scaling the adoption of artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The focus of the discussion was the role of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in this process and how to make AI accessible and safe for companies that do not have large R&D teams or in-house data science departments.

Olha Shapoval, Executive Director of Kharkiv IT Cluster and coordinator of the Eastern Ukraine EDIH, shared insights from working with Ukrainian SMEs, the specifics of AI implementation in Ukraine, and the barriers currently limiting the scaling of innovation.

What is an EDIH?

An EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub) is a “navigator” for businesses in digital technologies. A company comes with a request, and the EDIH helps to:

• understand what the business actually needs;
• select appropriate technologies or partners;
• find experts or grant opportunities;
• reduce the risks of incorrect implementation.

Eastern Ukraine EDIH is one of such hubs, coordinated by Kharkiv IT Cluster. It works with companies in Ukraine to support their digital transformation and help them implement innovations without unnecessary risks.

AI should be a tool, not a dependency

A key position brought by Kharkiv IT Cluster into the discussion is that businesses should not build dependency on a single AI solution. Instead, AI should be integrated as a flexible system that:

• solves a specific business task;
• can evolve alongside market changes;
• does not create long-term technological risks.

For example, a company may integrate an AI assistant into customer support but fail to adapt internal processes, train the team to work with the new tool, or understand how the customer journey will change. In such cases, the service may generate more operational noise than value.

AI should address concrete tasks: reducing document processing time, automating sales analytics, improving demand forecasting, or optimizing HR processes.

Common business mistakes in AI implementation and the role of EDIH

Companies most often face three challenges:

• Technology is implemented without changing processes. For example, an AI customer support tool is not integrated into CRM or internal workflows.
• Lack of team preparation. Employees do not change how they work with data and tools.
• Fragmented implementation. AI is used in a single function without connection to other business processes.

EDIH can mitigate part of these risks by helping businesses correctly define the problem before AI adoption, assess process readiness, select relevant solutions, and validate how the technology fits into the existing business model before implementation begins.

“EDIHs should not operate as traditional service providers attempting to cover the full spectrum of services on their own. Instead, their key function is to act as ecosystem mediators: understanding business needs, knowing the capabilities of market participants, and connecting demand with relevant expertise,” — Olha Shapoval, Executive Director of Kharkiv IT Cluster and Coordinator of Eastern Ukraine EDIH.

The role of Kharkiv IT Cluster in developing the AI ecosystem

Kharkiv IT Cluster operates as a coordination point between businesses, technology companies, and European initiatives. We do not limit ourselves to participation in international discussions, but also bring the experience of Ukrainian companies into European approaches to digital transformation.

Through the Eastern Ukraine EDIH, the cluster helps businesses move from AI experimentation to structured implementation: from readiness assessment to selecting solutions and partners that match real business needs.

If your company is looking for opportunities in digital transformation, AI implementation, or international expansion — join Kharkiv IT Cluster.

Become a member of Kharkiv IT Cluster

Businesses can also receive free consultation from Eastern Ukraine EDIH regarding AI implementation, digital maturity, and available support opportunities.

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