RAI-RADIOTELEVISIONE ITALIANA SPA

Their core work

RAI is Italy's national public broadcaster and one of Europe's largest media companies, producing television, radio, and digital content for millions of viewers. In EU research, RAI serves as a real-world testbed and use-case provider for advanced media technologies — from multi-drone filming platforms to 5G-enabled live production and AI-driven content tools. Their contribution centers on validating new technologies in professional broadcast and media entertainment environments, bridging the gap between lab research and actual media production workflows.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

RAI's early H2020 involvement (2017-2019) focused on broad media innovation — drone-based filming and mapping the media ecosystem's technology and policy landscape. From 2019 onward, their focus sharpened dramatically toward two pillars: 5G infrastructure for professional broadcast (network slicing, campus networks, live production) and AI applied to media content (federated learning, explainable AI, social network analysis). This shift reflects the broader industry move from exploring digital disruption to deploying specific enabling technologies.

RAI is converging on AI-powered, 5G-enabled media production — expect future interest in real-time AI content tools, immersive media, and private 5G networks for broadcast facilities.

How they like to work

RAI participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with a large industry player that provides real-world validation environments rather than driving research agendas. With 108 unique partners across 21 countries, they operate in large consortia (typical for 5G and AI flagship projects) and bring substantial sectoral weight without seeking project leadership. This makes them a reliable, low-friction partner who adds strong industry credibility and real deployment scenarios.

RAI has collaborated with 108 distinct partners across 21 countries, giving them one of the broadest networks among European broadcasters in H2020. Their partnerships span telecom operators, AI research labs, universities, and media technology companies across the EU.

What sets them apart

RAI is one of very few major European public broadcasters actively engaged in EU research projects, making them a rare bridge between academic research and mass-market media deployment. Their combination of 5G infrastructure testing and AI for media is distinctive — most broadcasters focus on one or the other. For any consortium needing a credible, large-scale media industry partner to validate technologies with real audiences and production workflows, RAI is a top-tier choice in Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AI4Media
  A prestigious EU AI excellence centre (EUR 306K to RAI) connecting AI research — federated learning, explainable AI — directly to media, society, and democracy challenges.
• 5G-TOURS
  RAI's largest funded project (EUR 330K) applying 5G network slicing across tourism, e-health, and media entertainment verticals in real city environments.
• MULTIDRONE
  An unusual project combining autonomous multi-drone platforms with professional media production — RAI provided the broadcast use-case for outdoor filming scenarios.