Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of strategic importance and a key driver of economic development, bringing solutions to many societal challenges ranging from treating diseases to minimising the environmental impact of farming. The EU is focussing on connecting and strengthening AI research centres across Europe and supporting the development of AI applications in key sectors. Europe invests in the European model of human-centric AI, with a new set of European networks of AI excellence centres (NoEs). Since September 2020, four NoEs are working on aspects of trustworthy AI funded under the H2020-ICT-48-2020 call. The VISION project brings these networks together to create a world-class AI ecosystem. To ensure Europe stays at the forefront of AI developments, the VISION project builds on Europe’s world-class community of researchers. VISION aims to reinforce, interconnect and mobilise Europe’s AI community, and to accelerate Europe’s transition to a world-leading position in the research, development and deployment of AI technologies.