EU Commission’s AI Continent Action Plan: A Strategic Approach to AI Development
On April 9, 2025, the European Commission unveiled its ambitious AI Continent Action Plan, aiming to position the EU as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). This strategic initiative focuses on fostering innovation, promoting trustworthy AI, and enhancing competitiveness while upholding democratic values and cultural diversity.
Key Objectives of the Action Plan
The Commission’s objectives are multi-faceted and include:
- Significant investments in AI infrastructure
The EU plans to allocate €10 billion from 2021 to 2027 to establish and enhance AI Factories. This funding will support the procurement of nine new AI-optimized supercomputers and the upgrading of existing facilities under the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). The Action Plan outlines 13 selected AI Factories across 17 Member States, all expected to be operational and interconnected by the end of 2025.
- Investment in AI Gigafactories
To further bolster AI capabilities, the EU aims to mobilize an additional €20 billion to establish up to five AI Gigafactories. These large-scale facilities will be instrumental in developing and training complex AI models, leveraging computing power that exceeds 100,000 advanced AI processors. This initiative will be facilitated through public-private partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms.
- Cloud and AI Development Act
In the fourth quarter of 2025 or the first quarter of 2026, the Commission is set to propose a Cloud and AI Development Act. This act aims to incentivize large investments in cloud and edge capacity, targeting a tripling of the EU’s data center capacity within five to seven years. It will address challenges like lengthy permitting processes and energy access, ensuring that projects meeting resource efficiency criteria benefit from streamlined approval and public support.
Data Union Strategy Implementation
Another critical component of the Action Plan is the Data Union Strategy, which seeks to enhance access to high-quality data for AI innovators while safeguarding confidentiality and security. Key initiatives include:
- Establishment of Data Labs
The Commission intends to create Data Labs to strengthen the EU’s data ecosystem. These labs will enhance interoperability and improve data availability across sectors, addressing the scarcity of robust and high-quality data necessary for training AI models. They will also align data policies with the needs of businesses and society, fostering a trustworthy data-sharing environment.
- Public Consultation and Data Lab Integration
A public consultation is planned for Q2 2025 to gather input from stakeholders, and Data Labs are expected to be operational within AI Factories by the end of 2025. This integration will help companies share data, transforming fragmented sources into a reliable resource for AI development.
AI Adoption and Talent Development
The Apply AI Strategy will be launched to accelerate AI adoption in critical sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and public administration. This initiative will be backed by European Digital Innovation Hubs.
Additionally, the Commission aims to strengthen AI literacy and skills through education and training programs, including the creation of an AI Skills Academy to attract and retain global AI talent.
Regulatory Framework and Global Cooperation
Ensuring compliance with the AI Act is another priority, with support provided through the AI Act Service Desk and the establishment of regulatory sandboxes for high-risk AI systems. This regulatory framework aims to promote innovation while ensuring safety and compliance.
Finally, the Commission emphasizes the importance of global cooperation on AI governance and innovation. It seeks to enhance the EU’s influence in international AI standards developed by EU standardization bodies, such as CEN and CENELEC.
This comprehensive approach underscores the EU’s commitment to transforming the continent into a powerhouse for AI development, ensuring both innovation and ethical standards are upheld.
