👋 Hello AI Tinkerers! Now we are in Lisbon

As we launch the Lisbon chapter of AI Tinkerers, I’m thrilled to become your local point of connection in this vibrant city in AI builders community

🎓 Lisbon’s AI Powerhouses

Lisbon is home to world‑class institutions deeply engaged in AI research and development:

• Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) — the engineering school of the University of Lisbon, leading in computer science and AI through labs, student-led projects like Formula Student and the HackerSchool hackerspace ([en.wikipedia.org][1]).
• NOVA University Lisbon — hosts cutting-edge R\&D units, including the triple-crown accredited MBA joint with MIT Sloan, benefiting AI-driven entrepreneurship ([en.wikipedia.org][2]).
• Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon (IPL) — offers engineering, computing, and tech-related programs across multiple schools ([en.wikipedia.org][3]).
• INESC‑ID — a leading R\&D institute closely affiliated with IST, specializing in systems, AI, and public‑private collaborations ([en.wikipedia.org][4]).

Lisbon also hosts initiatives like the Bridge AI project—uniting INESC‑ID, the Champalimaud Foundation, and Unbabel to shape AI regulation and ethics ([fchampalimaud.org][5]). New efforts like AI for Science from the Lisbon Council add to this momentum ([lisboncouncil.net][6]). Plus, startups like FinAI thrive in local ecosystems—evidenced by events such as the RedBridge Lisbon: Your Brain on AI evening ([redbridgelisbon.com][7]).

📍 Why Lisbon is a Deep Learning Hub

• Strategic anchors: IST + INESC‑ID + NOVA form the backbone of Lisbon’s AI ecosystem.
• Active ecosystem: conferences, tech ecosystems, and grant-linked collaborations are blooming.
• Eu-wide integrations: thanks to consortia like Accelerat.ai, many EU-funded projects are Lisbon-based ([businesswire.com][8]).
• FinTech and DeepTech synergy: organizations like FinAI are leveraging this confluence of talent and funding.

🌦️ Lisbon in a Nutshell (and a Sunny One)

• Climate: Mediterranean—warm, dry summers (\~28°C), mild winters (\~15°C, wetter seasons) ([climatestotravel.com][9]).
• Annual sunshine: \~2,800 hours—the city’s known for its agreeable weather year-round .
• Perfect balance: coastal breezes cool the summer heat, winters are mild and manageable—ideal for year‑round meetups, outdoor workshops, and picnics by the Tagus.

🛠 What You Can Expect Locally

• Monthly meetups under (or admiring) the red bridge—focusing on AI topics, demos, grants, and tech trends.
• Lab & university visits to IST, NOVA labs, INESC‑ID, and local hacks.
• Connections to funding: FinAI, government-backed initiatives, EU grants, MIT‑Portugal exchanges.
• Casual coffee‑and‑code afternoons in LX’s café scene (Belém, Bairro Alto, Alcântara).

✅ Your Invitation to Ignite Lisbon’s AI Spark

If you’re in Lisbon or planning to be:

• Say hi below 👇
• Share your interests—research, coding, startup stories, or EU funding?
• Suggest ideas or spaces: labs, cafes, rooftops, boats under the red bridge 🌉

Let’s co-create a bustling, collaborative AI hub right here in Lisbon. Looking forward to meeting you all!

And of course, let’s keep writing the bright story of the Red Bridge — together!

— Daniil Savchuk, Lisbon Location Lead, AI Tinkers