General

RDI

Research, development and innovation activities and funding.

How the laws define this

Both sources establish RDI as a broad framework spanning artificial intelligence efforts from high-level or foundational research to practical testing, pilots, and deployment. They diverge primarily in how they structure this scope and identify the relevant actors. Under the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 Programme, RDI is treated as an operational policy term focused on funding priorities, policy instruments, testbeds, and technological leadership in AI and related technologies. Conversely, the Spanish Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in R&D&I defines it as an umbrella term covering specific technical stages—foundational research on methods, algorithms, and datasets; applied research involving domain-specific prototypes and demonstrators; and innovation or transfer actions such as commercialisation and public-sector deployment. It also explicitly extends this work across public research organisations, universities, and the private sector.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Finland	Artificial Intelligence 4.0 Programme	Adopted	This definition adds focus on funding priorities and instruments supporting high-level research, testbeds, pilots and technological leadership in AI and related technologies.
Spain	Spanish Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in R&D&I	Adopted	This definition widens to an umbrella covering foundational research, applied research and innovation/transfer actions across public research organisations, universities and the private sector.

What it triggers

In Finland, the Artificial Intelligence 4.0 Programme sets out research, development and innovation activities, funding priorities and instruments that support high-level research, testbeds, pilots and technological leadership in AI and related technologies.source
In Spain, the Spanish Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in R&D&I sets national priorities for research, development and innovation in AI, identifying strategic application areas, institutional arrangements and recommendations to promote talent.source

Definitions (2)

An operational policy term used in the programme to denote research, development and innovation activities, funding priorities and instruments that support high-level research, testbeds, pilots and technological leadership in AI and related technologies.

Artificial Intelligence 4.0 ProgrammeDefinition 1 of 2

An umbrella term covering foundational research (methods, algorithms, datasets), applied research (domain-specific prototypes and demonstrators) and innovation/transfer actions (commercialisation and public-sector deployment) across public research organisations, universities and the private sector.

Spanish Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in R&D&I (Estrategia Española para la Inteligencia Artificial en I+D+i)Definition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

PD&I

PD&I refers specifically to research, development and innovation activities while RDI encompasses those plus funding priorities and instruments or acts as an umbrella across sectors.

R&D

R&D covers only research and development activities whereas RDI includes innovation and potentially funding or transfer actions.

Research and Innovation (R&I)

Research and Innovation (R&I) emphasises basic and applied research plus knowledge transfer for socio-economic impact, while RDI adds or specifies funding instruments, testbeds or foundational-to-transfer coverage.

Questions and answers

What does RDI cover under Finland's AI 4.0 Programme?

RDI denotes research, development and innovation activities, funding priorities and instruments that support high-level research, testbeds, pilots and technological leadership in AI and related technologies. The programme aims to accelerate AI introduction and diffusion across Finnish industry.

How is RDI defined in Spain's AI strategy?

RDI is an umbrella term covering foundational research, applied research and innovation/transfer actions across public research organisations, universities and the private sector. The strategy sets national priorities, identifies application areas and promotes talent.

Does RDI include funding or just activities?

In Finland's definition, RDI explicitly includes funding priorities and instruments alongside activities. Spain's definition focuses on research and innovation actions without mentioning funding.

RDI