AGP Executive Report

Czech R&D Watch: Czechia spent CZK 43.3 billion on research and development in 2025 (up ~10%), but still sits 16th in the EU and below the EU average for government R&D intensity. Green Tech & Industry: Saint-Gobain and AGC will deploy a large-scale hybrid electrified furnace for flat glass in Spain, building on a Czech pilot and aiming for major CO₂ cuts. Robotics for the Planet: Czech researchers report micro-robots that can remove microplastics from soil and water in lab tests, using magnetic control. AI Security Reality Check: A new analysis argues that AI-written code changes the pace of development, but security testing often still assumes humans wrote and reviewed every change. Defense Tech Transfer: VTDS signed a strategic technology partnership with Czech firm DEUS Automation to advance small-calibre ammunition manufacturing in India. Public Transport Upgrade (Ostrava): Solaris won a major order for up to 70 electric buses for Ostrava, enabled by a shift away from heavy fast-charging infrastructure. Mobility & Research Infrastructure: The EU’s EXA4MIND project, coordinated by IT4Innovations, is rolling out AI-enabled workflows for managing and analyzing large research datasets. Energy & Climate Context: Drought and low river levels are worsening across Europe, with hydropower and nuclear cooling pressures highlighted in regional reporting.

Czech R&D Funding: Czechia invested CZK 43.3 billion in research and development in 2025, up ~10% year-on-year, but still ranks 16th in the EU; government R&D spending sits at 0.51% of GDP versus the EU average 0.69%. Public Transport Electrification: Ostrava will buy up to 70 Solaris electric buses (2027–2028), scaling the fleet thanks to a shift away from pantograph fast-charging needs. AI & HPC for Science: The Czech-led EXA4MIND project is delivering AI-enabled workflows and tools for managing and analyzing large research datasets across Europe, supported by IT4Innovations. Energy & Industry Decarbonization: Saint-Gobain and AGC will deploy a large-scale hybrid electrified furnace for flat glass in Spain, building on a smaller Czech pilot. Geothermal Demo in Czechia: The EU UPLIFT project will run field-scale Enhanced Geothermal Systems demonstrations at the RINGEN site in Litoměřice, focusing on safer stimulation and public acceptance. International Tech Cooperation: Kansas and the Czech Republic signed a mutual cooperation statement covering aerospace, advanced manufacturing, nanotechnologies, and biotech-linked agriculture and animal health. Climate Science (Global): A major butterfly study finds climate change and extreme weather drive most range shifts, while tropical monitoring gaps remain a blind spot. Cybersecurity & Media Training: Czech authorities are partnering on journalist training to improve cybercrime reporting and strengthen public awareness. Nuclear Fuel Politics: A new German fuel-production permission using Russian Rosatom technology sparks debate over Europe’s strategic energy sovereignty.

Solar Science & Public Interest: A total solar eclipse on Wednesday, Aug. 12 will be visible across parts of Europe, with the UK seeing over 96% of the Sun covered. Climate & Water Infrastructure: Europe’s drought is worsening fast, with major rivers like the Danube and Rhine showing record-low levels that disrupt tourism, trade, and daily life. Czech Energy Tech: A Horizon Europe project called UPLIFT will run field demonstrations of safer Enhanced Geothermal Systems at the RINGEN site in Litoměřice, aiming to cut seismic risk while improving heat extraction. AI & HPC for Research: The Czech-led EXA4MIND initiative is wrapping up tools and ready-to-use workflows to help researchers manage and analyze massive datasets using AI on European supercomputing resources. Urban Mobility: Ostrava is ordering up to 70 Solaris electric buses, with the charging approach shifting from earlier pantograph-heavy setups to a larger fleet plan. Industry & Manufacturing: PORR is testing a bricklaying robot (“Walter”) on a Prague-area construction site to automate wall building with high placement accuracy. Czech Defense & Tech Transfer: VTDS has signed a strategic technology partnership with Czech firm DEUS Automation to advance small-calibre ammunition manufacturing in India. Bilateral Science & Industry: Kansas and the Czech Republic signed a mutual cooperation statement covering aerospace, biotech, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnologies.

AI & HPC for Research: The EU EXA4MIND project, coordinated by IT4Innovations and the Czech National Supercomputing Center, is rolling out tools and preconfigured workflows to help scientists collect, manage, and analyze huge, diverse datasets using AI. Defence Industry Deal: Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS) in India signed a strategic tech partnership with Czech firm DEUS Automation to advance indigenous small-calibre ammunition manufacturing. Czech Tech in Global Markets: Kansas and the Czech Republic agreed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation covering trade, technological research, and sectors like aerospace, biotech, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnologies. Construction Robotics in Czechia: PORR tested “Walter,” a bricklaying robot, at a Kladno Living site near Prague, placing load-bearing and partition walls with millimetre accuracy based on digital design. Energy & Climate Pressure: Record heat and drought are drying major rivers and straining power systems across Central Europe, with the Danube hitting extreme low levels and disrupting tourism and trade. Prague Business & Culture: Live Nation and PPF will jointly run three major Prague venues (O2 Arena, O2 Universum, Forum Karlín), aiming for upgrades and more international events. Space/Science Policy Angle: A nuclear-industry digest highlights how the war is reshaping uranium enrichment and long-term reactor fuel ties, with Urenco expansion in focus.

Extreme Heat & Energy Strain: Record temperatures across central Europe are driving wildfires and stressing power systems, with low river levels forcing shutdowns of cooling-dependent plants in Poland and heat alerts spreading from Slovakia to Austria and beyond. Academic Freedom Watch: A new V-Dem Academic Freedom Index analysis puts the Czech Republic at the top for university autonomy, while Mongolia stands out in its region despite tighter controls elsewhere. Czech Tech & Security: iDenfy has added Czech Bank iD to its identity verification for the Czech market, and the Czech Cyber Security Authority is pushing stronger cybercrime reporting training for journalists. Energy Storage in Czechia: CATL-backed CNTE has commissioned the Modlany BESS, a 37.95 MW/41.7 MWh project with solar co-generation, aimed at grid balancing and frequency regulation. EV Manufacturing: Škoda Auto has started series production of the new electric Peaq SUV in Mladá Boleslav, built on a flexible line alongside other models. Bilateral Tech Cooperation: Kansas and the Czech Republic signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation covering trade, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotech and nanotechnologies. Climate-Driven Biodiversity: A Nature study finds one in ten butterfly species has already shifted its range due to climate change, with major implications for conservation planning.

Czech Tech & Industry: Škoda Auto has started series production of its new electric Peaq SUV in Mladá Boleslav, built on a flexible line shared with Elroq, Enyaq and Octavia; the company says it has already drawn about 8,500 orders since the June launch. Energy Storage: CATL-backed CNTE has commissioned the Czech Republic’s largest completed BESS project, Modlany (37.95 MW / 41.7 MWh), adding grid-balancing and fast frequency regulation services alongside 42.7 MW of solar. Connectivity & Identity: CTU’s survey finds the Czech fixed internet market is highly fragmented and competitive, while iDenfy has added Czech Bank iD to its identity verification for bank-login onboarding. Cyber & Security: Czech Republic-backed journalist training is expanding cybercrime reporting capacity, and a Czech DEUS Automation tech-transfer pact with India’s VTDS targets small-calibre ammunition manufacturing. Robotics in Construction: Porr is deploying a bricklaying robot (“Walter”) on a Czech site near Prague to build load-bearing and partition walls with millimetre precision. Science & Society: A Czech-involved study reports urban birds flee sooner from women than men, and a Czech film, Volklore, has won a Student Academy Award in Alternative/Experimental. International Links: Kansas and the Czech Republic signed a mutual cooperation statement covering aerospace, advanced manufacturing, biotech and nanotechnologies.

EU Wildfire Shift: The EU is rewriting wildfire policy after record-scale burns across Europe, moving money and focus from firefighting toward prevention and earlier action. Czech Tech in the Sky: Deutsche Telekom and T‑Mobile Czech Republic tested flying base stations with seamless handovers and satellite backhaul, aiming for uninterrupted mobile coverage when ground infrastructure fails. AI & Cyber Risk: A report shows an AI coding setup can be abused to break into at least 14 companies with simple prompt-driven agent tools, underscoring weak guardrails. Identity Verification: iDenfy added Czech Bank iD to its platform, letting Czech users authenticate via bank login instead of document capture. Climate Biology: A global study finds butterfly ranges are shifting on every continent, driven largely by climate change and extreme weather. Water Resilience: A Czech study highlights how beaver wetlands can retain water during drought, potentially saving millions of crowns. Local Science/Health: Czech hospitals are adopting AI in brain surgery, with one facility becoming the first in Czechia to do so. Space/Research: SLAC researchers created a “movie” of ultrafast early electron motion in chemical reactions, resolving steps never seen before.

Cybersecurity: A new report shows how an “agentic” AI coding tool setup (Claude Code/Codex) can be abused: a low-skill attacker used simple prompts and failed guardrails to breach at least 14 companies, with logs and tool calls preserved in the captured session folder. Czech Tech & Industry: CNTE says it has completed the Modlany Energy Park in northern Czechia—42.7 MW of solar paired with 37.95 MW / 41.7 MWh of battery storage for frequency regulation and short-term solar shifting. Manufacturing: Sungwoo Hitech is nearing completion of a new automotive plant at P3 Ostrava Central, adding robotic welding now and hot stamping/pressing in a second phase. AI Policy & Society: A World Bank report warns AI job displacement risk is far higher in high-income countries (14.2% of jobs highly automatable) than in low- and middle-income economies (4.5%). Digital Identity: iDenfy added Czech Bank iD to its identity verification platform, letting businesses verify users via bank login instead of document capture. Climate Science: A global study finds butterfly ranges are shifting on every continent, with climate change and extreme weather linked to most documented movements. Tech in the City: Samsung will stage a drone show over Prague’s Vltava to launch new Galaxy foldables and smartwatches.

Medicine Access vs EU Rules: Spain is pushing an “early procurement” plan so innovative drugs can be bought right after EMA approval, before national pricing and reimbursement decisions. Czech Policy Red Lines: Czech officials say the debate is welcome, but any EU mechanism must respect member states’ control over medicine pricing. Consumer Tech in Prague: Samsung will stage a drone show over the Vltava on Thursday to unveil its new Galaxy foldables and smartwatches. Czech-China Signals: China’s Zhao Leji met Czech Chamber of Deputies speaker Tomio Okamura, stressing the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership and cooperation in areas like new energy and EVs. Academic Freedom Spotlight: New global rankings put Czechia at the top for academic freedom, while academic freedom is declining in many countries. Energy Storage in Czechia: A large BESS project in the Czech Republic has been commissioned, supported by EU grant funding and backed by CATL-linked supply chains. Cybersecurity Cooperation: Czechia is helping Ghana’s cybercrime unit with forensic tools and launching community media training to improve cyber reporting. Biotech Lab Breakthrough: Czech Academy of Sciences researchers helped map enzyme steps used by toxic garden plants to build medically interesting alkaloids. Work Stress Survey: A Czech STEM research survey finds most people feel job stress, with work spilling into private life for about half.

Cybersecurity & Media Training (Czech–Ghana): Czechia is backing Ghana’s fight against cybercrime with about GH¢450,000 in forensic hardware and software for the Ghana Police Cybercrime Unit, plus a community-media project to train journalists in cyber hygiene and responsible reporting. Academic Freedom Watch: A new V-Dem map ranks Czechia #1 globally for academic freedom (score 0.98), while India hits its lowest level since 1900 (0.14 in 2025), adding to concerns about shrinking university autonomy. Energy Storage in Czechia: The largest Czech BESS project, Modlany, is commissioned and designed for fast grid balancing, with EU grants helping kick-start storage across the country. Climate & Power Risks: Europe’s drought is pushing hydropower near record lows, and the knock-on effects raise questions about how Central Europe’s energy systems handle extreme heat. Apple Buys Czech Tech: Apple agreed to acquire PlasmaSolve, a Czech materials-science and coatings simulation firm, signaling a push toward thinner, tougher device designs. Defense Industry Update: VOP CZ begins full CV90 assembly in Šenov after hulls arrive from Sweden, with new production lines and testing ahead of deliveries. Agriculture Trials: Research suggests an adjuvant booster can significantly improve insecticide performance against cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape. Work Stress Survey: Nearly three-quarters of Czechs report job-related stress, with about half saying work disrupts personal life.

Czech Defense Industry: VOP CZ has started full production of the CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles in Šenov, with first hulls arriving from Sweden and new production lines built to reach about ten vehicles per month, followed by extensive testing before delivery to the Czech Army. AI & Materials in Manufacturing: Apple acquired Czech materials science firm PlasmaSolve, gaining plasma simulation software (MatSight) to model coating processes before factory testing—aiming for thinner, stronger device finishes and potentially lower testing costs. Cybersecurity for Media: The Czech Republic (via the Cyber Security Authority and ACDT) is supporting journalist training on cybercrime reporting in Ghana, as part of a broader push to improve public cyber hygiene and fraud awareness. Climate & Extremes: Europe is warming at about twice the global pace, with heatwaves arriving earlier and wildfires and drought pressures intensifying—Prague is nearing 40°C this summer. EU Data Privacy Ruling: The CJEU case involving a Czech man filming harassment with home CCTV could affect how smart home cameras and other IoT devices handle filming public spaces. Public Health IT Incident: Czech National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) remains offline after a weekend cyberattack while forensic analysis continues, with officials saying no sensitive data was compromised. Medtech Investment: JIC Ventures backed Carebot’s AI medical imaging platform, highlighting the “last mile” of real hospital adoption across multiple countries.

Climate & Resilience: New findings say Europe is warming at about twice the global pace, with heatwaves arriving earlier and biting harder—Prague is nearing 40°C and drought is stressing water supplies across the continent. AI Infrastructure: The EU has launched a call for up to seven AI “Gigafactories,” aiming to boost Europe’s computing capacity and unlock major public-private investment. Privacy & IoT: The EU’s top court ruled on a Czech case involving home CCTV filming people in public, with potential knock-on effects for smart cameras, drones, and other connected devices. Czech Research & Health: The Czech public health institute’s website stayed offline after a weekend cyberattack while forensic checks ran; separately, Czech researchers are advancing medical AI adoption, including AI used in brain surgery at a Czech hospital. Medtech Investment: Brno’s JIC Ventures backed Carebot, citing real-world hospital usage across multiple countries as the key proof point. Brain Drug Delivery: TalTech researchers report nanodiamond carriers that may help nerve-agent antidotes reach the brain. Space/Transport: Starlux launched its first European route with a Taipei–Prague flight, starting with three weekly trips. Czech Diplomacy: Ivan Jukl takes over the Czech Centres, pushing for a leaner setup and better use of the network abroad.

AI Infrastructure Push: The EU opened tenders for up to seven AI Gigafactories, aiming to boost Europe’s AI computing capacity with up to €10bn public support and expected €20bn+ private investment, alongside EU rules for data protection, safety, security and ethics. Czech Cybersecurity: Czech public health institute SZÚ says its website will stay offline for at least 48 hours after a weekend cyberattack, with forensic analysis underway and no sensitive data reportedly compromised. Health & Diagnostics: Researchers describe a four-gene signature that could help diagnose endometriosis, while separate lab work explores how compounds from poisonous plants might be reproduced for more sustainable medicines. AI Research Spotlight: A Sejong University undergraduate won an excellent paper award at an international intelligent computing conference in Prague for a retrieval-based approach to ambiguous robotic commands. Public Health Monitoring: A woman hospitalized in Prague after returning from Uganda had dangerous infection ruled out in tests run overnight in Berlin, with further diagnostics continuing. Archaeology in Czechia: During monitoring for the Brno–Přerov railway upgrade near Kojetín, archaeologists found a Bronze Age bronze hoard likely deposited as a ritual offering in a waterlogged area.

AI Infrastructure Push: The EU is opening calls for up to seven AI “gigafactory” projects, aiming for €10bn public backing plus at least €20bn private investment to boost Europe’s computing capacity and support training and fine-tuning under EU safety and ethics rules. Czech Tech & Health: Prague’s Bulovka University Hospital used lab testing (including Berlin’s Robert Koch Institute) to rule out dangerous infection in a woman hospitalized after a Uganda trip, with further diagnostics ongoing. Space/Science Collaboration: The Netherlands joined the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) as an Observer, strengthening European high-energy astrophysics ties as construction accelerates. Local Economy: In the first half of 2026, the number of self-employed people in Czechia rose sharply, with Prague and construction driving the biggest gains. Aviation & Connectivity: Starlux launched its first European route with a Taipei–Prague flight, adding direct links tied to deepening semiconductor supply-chain cooperation. Climate & Safety: Extreme heat and wildfires in France and Spain are forcing evacuations and triggering EU civil protection support, including aircraft reinforcements. Nuclear Watch: China approved eight new nuclear reactor units, continuing its push to expand power generation.

Czech Entrepreneurship Pulse: The number of self-employed people in Czechia jumped in the first half of 2026, with 51,534 starting business activity and 27,300 ending it—net +24,234, up 49% year-on-year, driven especially by Prague and construction. AI & Space/Physics Spotlight: Czech-linked science news includes a major physics breakthrough—researchers behind altermagnetism received the 2026 Europhysics Prize, pointing to new directions for quantum materials. Biotech From Nature to Lab: A collaboration between Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences reports a lab platform that recreates key steps in producing potent larkspur/wolfsbane compounds, potentially improving how natural therapeutics are studied and tested. Climate & Resilience: Heatwaves across Europe are worsening wildfire and crop stress; France and Germany set new heat records, and grain forecasts were cut after extreme conditions. Aerospace/Defense: Poland is weighing a MiG-29-to-Ukraine swap tied to Ukrainian drone know-how, reflecting a shift toward battlefield-tested unmanned capabilities. Transport & Industry Links: Starlux launched its first European route with a Taipei–Prague flight, citing deepening semiconductor supply-chain ties between Taiwan and Czechia. Urban Heat Planning: Prague rolled out an online cooling map to help residents find water and shade during heatwaves.

Czech Science & Biotech: Researchers from Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences mapped early steps in how larkspur and wolfsbane make their ultra-hard-to-synthesize diterpenoid alkaloids, including aconitine—work that could open new routes for pain, malaria, cancer and pest-control therapeutics. Czech Health Tech: A České Budějovice hospital became the first in Czechia to use AI in brain surgery, signaling faster adoption of clinical decision support. Czech Industry & Drones: CSG’s AviaNera is building a new technology centre in the Central Bohemian Region focused on advanced propulsion systems for unmanned aerial systems, with industrial process development and specialist teams. Czech Cities & Climate Adaptation: Prague launched an online cooling map to help residents find water and shade during heatwaves, while the wider coverage highlights Europe’s worsening extreme-heat reality. Czech Security & Borders: Czech police say secunet’s system cuts border processing times under the EU Entry/Exit rules. Czech Business & Trade: Starlux launched its Taipei–Prague route, and Czech officials framed it as a boost for travel and semiconductor supply-chain ties. EU Tech Policy: The EU is pushing AI gigafactories via new calls and a €10bn drive to expand Europe’s computing capacity.