The European Commission has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening Europe's global leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). On Tuesday, the Commission announced a call for AI factories to provide AI developers with access to the EU’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. The initiative to support start-ups, researchers and industry players is part of Europe's broader strategy to position itself at the forefront of trustworthy AI.
"Europe is already leading the way with the EU AI Act, making AI safer and more trustworthy," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. "Earlier this year, we delivered on a promise from my State of the Union speech by opening up our supercomputers to European AI start-ups. Now our next goal is clear: Europe must become a world leader in AI innovation. The AI factories will help secure our position at the forefront of this transformative technology, as set out in my political guidelines for the next Commission."
The AI Factories initiative builds on Europe's network of supercomputers and aims to create a collaborative framework for AI research and development. The factories will combine computing power, vast data resources and a diverse pool of talent to accelerate the development and application of innovative AI models. They will serve as hubs for the training of large-scale generative AI models and the development of AI-driven solutions for sectors such as healthcare, energy, automotive, robotics and clean technologies.
A vision for European AI leadership
Margrethe Vestager, Vice-President of the Commission for a Europe fit for the digital age, emphasized the importance of the initiative in positioning Europe as a global AI powerhouse. "The AI factories will bring together all the key ingredients Europe needs to become a global AI powerhouse: very high computing power, big data and a diverse pool of talent. By tapping into the exceptional potential of our home-grown supercomputers, the factories will enable European SMEs, scientists and start-ups to develop as AI innovators and set the pace for EU leadership in this field," said Vestager.
The initiative is part of a broader AI innovation package presented by the Commission earlier this year. It includes significant financial support through the Digital Europe program and Horizon Europe, with almost €1 billion in EU contributions and matching funds from Member States. The first call for proposals, launched by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, will remain open until December 31, 2025, with regular deadlines for the submission of projects.
In addition to the AI factories, the Commission is driving forward several complementary initiatives. These include expanding the generative AI talent pool in the EU through education and training programs, encouraging public and private investment in AI start-ups and promoting the development of common European data spaces. A recently published Commission Staff Working Paper describes the latest developments in these data spaces, which will be crucial for AI developers to access and use key data resources.
Supercomputing
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, highlighted the strategic role of European supercomputing infrastructure in the AI Factories initiative. "With the launch of AI Factories, we are capitalizing on one of Europe’s greatest assets: our world-class supercomputers. AI Factories will serve as a one-stop shop for European AI start-ups, helping them to develop the most advanced AI models and industrial applications. This will make Europe the best place in the world for trustworthy AI," Breton noted.
The AI factories will be networked across Europe to foster collaboration between member states and create a vibrant AI ecosystem. The factories will also benefit from partnerships with European test and experimentation facilities and digital innovation centers, which will provide further opportunities for AI research and development.
The European Commission's vision for AI is closely linked to its emphasis on trustworthiness, particularly in light of the EU AI Act, which aims to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent and accountable. The AI Factories will support the development and validation of AI applications in key European sectors such as healthcare, defense, aerospace and agriculture, with a focus on addressing societal challenges and promoting sustainable growth.
The current call for proposals for the AI Factories initiative is an important step towards establishing Europe as a leader in AI research and development. With an expected total public and private investment of around €4 billion by 2027, the initiative aims to give Europe a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The initiative will also support the European Commission’s broader goal of promoting technological sovereignty and reducing dependence on non-European digital infrastructures. As AI technologies are increasingly integrated into everyday life and industrial processes, the Commission is determined to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of AI innovation, while respecting ethical standards and promoting transparency.
As President von der Leyen noted, “AI factories will help secure our position at the forefront of this transformative technology." Through these efforts, Europe is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a global leader in shaping the future of AI.
