The ambition of the preparatory action is to start a process at an international level where art-driven innovation is promoted as an alternative joint pathway to the future for economies across different continents and cultures. It intends to promote a European approach to innovation rooted in arts/culture and values by linking digital innovation and uptake with the arts in local ecosystems in selected regions outside Europe - one of which is sub-Saharan Africa.                                                              

A concrete approach to artistic experimentation with digital technologies will be used to promote uptake of digital technologies in the economies of the selected regions and to promote a ‘human compatible’ and ‘ecologically conscious’ use of digital worldwide. The action continues the work in a pilot project.

The action will address several sectors pertinent in the selected countries where digital can make a difference. Given the importance of artificial intelligence, the action will emphasise artificial intelligence (but does not exclude activities in other digitally pertinent technologies relevant in the selected regions). Notably, artists could help in tackling disinformation, a major challenge that affects all countries worldwide: for example, false narratives regarding climate change infectious diseases, or the causes of food scarcity that directly affect the social cohesion.