Digital Association AAVIT joins forces with Meta

Meta Platforms, the global technology company behind platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, is a new member of the digital Association for Applied Research in IT – AAVIT. As of June 2025, one of the world’s leading innovators in digital technology and artificial intelligence joins the association’s ranks.

Meta is one of the most important players in the global digital economy. Today, artificial intelligence is at the core of its technology strategy and future vision. Meta thus confirms its position as a heavyweight in the development of generative models and next-generation computing technologies.

The entry of Meta platforms into AAVIT not only represents a strengthening of the technology ecosystem in the Czech Republic, but also a new impetus for collaboration between global innovators and local leaders of digital transformation.

“At AAVIT, we have long emphasized the importance of digital services for the Czech economy, and Meta is one of the unquestioned global leaders in this sector. These companies are the real link between the EU and the US. We believe we can serve as an effective platform for collaboration between global companies, research organizations, startups, scaleups and small and medium-sized companies. Meta is investing huge funds in AI development and will help us see into the technological future,” says CEO Jaromír Hanzal on the US company’s entry into AAVIT.

The cooperation between Meta and AAVIT is not entirely new – the formalized membership is a natural outcome of several years of dialogue, especially in the field of digital legislation and technology regulation. Both parties have long shared an interest in a transparent and rational approach to the regulation of digital platforms that promotes innovation, protects consumers while not imposing unreasonable barriers to business.

“This is a logical outcome of the long-standing cooperation between the two entities, particularly in the area of digital legislation. Meta has a long-term interest in strong cooperation with its European partners. Europe is a key market for us and offers a wide range of business opportunities. At the same time, it is important that this cooperation is not limited by unnecessarily harsh legislative regulation. The countries in Central Europe have long taken a rational approach to this issue. Moreover, the Czech Republic has been somewhat neglected in recent years in terms of cooperation with large technology players in the digital sector, so we see our membership in AAVIT as a tool to change this situation. Meta sees the Czech Republic as a country with high innovation potential, a well-developed digital infrastructure and a growing ecosystem of technology companies,” says Patrik Tovaryš from Meta.

AAVIT is a natural partner for Meta to establish professional contacts, share know-how and discuss the direction of European digital policy. The cooperation can thus be the impetus for a number of new initiatives that will strengthen not only the association’s members but also the technological future of the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, Meta also cooperates with the Czech AI Association which has been one of AAVIT’s close collaborators over the last two years.