The European Union has introduced the AI Continent Action Plan to strengthen its artificial intelligence sector and better compete with the U.S. and China. Announced on April 9, 2025, the plan focuses on several key areas, including building AI data infrastructure, improving data access, developing algorithms, promoting AI adoption, and simplifying regulations, particularly the EU AI Act.
Brussels intends to invest €200 billion through the InvestAI initiative, which includes a €20 billion fund for AI gigafactories equipped with supercomputing capabilities. These gigafactories will house around 100,000 advanced AI chips, significantly enhancing AI model training and ensuring strategic autonomy in sectors like science, health, energy, and manufacturing. The EU also aims to increase AI adoption among companies, which currently stands at 13.5%, through the Apply AI Strategy, and attract global AI talent through new training programs.
To further refine the AI Continent Action Plan, the Commission has launched public consultations, running until June 4, 2025, to gather feedback on the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Data Union Strategy, and the Apply AI Strategy. The Cloud and AI Development Act aims to triple the EU's data center capacity in the next five to seven years, prioritizing sustainable data centers. The Data Union Strategy, expected in the third quarter of 2025, seeks to create a unified internal market for data, facilitating cross-border AI solutions while adhering to EU data protection standards.