Shaping the Future of Deep Tech: NextTechTalents at Cluj Innovation Days 2026
CLUJ-NAPOCA, May 28–29, 2026 – As the 14th edition of Cluj IT Cluster’s flagship event unfolds, one central question stands out: who will build and lead the technologies shaping our future?
While artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and business models, the European agenda is increasingly focused on a critical dimension of this transition: people. The NextTechTalents project, funded under Horizon Europe, brings this human perspective into the spotlight, contributing to the debate on how early-stage researchers can successfully transition from academia into the fast-evolving world of deep tech and industry.
Bridging the “Deep Tech Delta”
Cluj Innovation Days 2026 explores how AI is reshaping the global economy and the skills landscape. Complementing this perspective, NextTechTalents addresses a less visible but equally important challenge: the gap between academic research and industry application.
This gap, called the “Deep Tech Delta”, reflects the disconnect between traditional, publication-driven academic pathways and the dynamic, prototype-oriented environment of industry. Overcoming this divide is essential for researchers to translate knowledge into innovation and real-world impact.
Bringing the research perspective into the innovation ecosystem
For Cluj-Napoca, often called the “Silicon Valley of Transylvania”, the NextTechTalents project plays an important role in strengthening the local innovation ecosystem. By focusing on deep tech areas such as artificial intelligence and applied hard sciences, the project helps develop a talent pool that is not only job-ready but innovation-ready.
From research skills to real-world impact
A key highlight of the programme is the Operating Open-Source Software training session, designed for early-career researchers in deep tech fields. This workshop focuses on practical skills related to open-source software and aligns with the ResearchComp framework, supporting transparent and collaborative innovation.
Rethinking research careers in the AI era
Within the panel “Deep tech, AI and future generations,” moderated by Dr. Damir Haskovic, the project manager of NextTechTalents, the participants will raise key questions shaping today’s innovation agenda. The subjects will include topics such as how deep tech and AI are redefining the future, how scientific research and technological breakthroughs influence society across generations, and the long-term implications of human–AI interaction. The panel highlights the importance of inspiring and equipping the next generation to engage with technology as researchers, innovators, and future leaders, not just as users. In this context, Cluj Innovation Days 2026 acts as an essential bridge for these conversations across research, industry, policy, and education, creating the environment for the NextTechTalents vision to take shape and for dialogue around future-ready talent, responsible innovation, and deep tech careers to gain real visibility and impact.
Author: Bianca Ionel
Links
Cluj Innovation Days 2026 – https://clujinnovationdays.com/
Keywords
Cluj Innovation Days, Research, Academic-industry collaboration, Artificial intelligence, Deep tech, Digital transformation, Early-stage researchers (ESR), Innovation management, Knowledge transfer, Open source software.
