Key facts
- The European Union is offering 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in funding for seven AI gigafactories.
- The goal is to close the AI gap with the U.S. and China and enhance Europe's technological sovereignty.
- These facilities are intended to train advanced AI models and will be equipped with at least 100,000 cutting-edge AI chips.
- The EU seeks to attract an additional 20 billion euros ($22.8 billion) in private investment for the project.
- The initiative aims to double the EU's current AI computing power by mid-2028.
The European Union is launching a tender to fund the construction of seven AI 'gigafactories' across the bloc, aiming to bolster its technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on U.S. and Chinese providers. The European Commission is offering 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in public funding, with the goal of attracting an additional 20 billion euros ($22.8 billion) in private investment.
These facilities are intended to provide the large-scale computing power necessary for training advanced AI models, particularly large language models. Each gigafactory is planned to house at least 100,000 cutting-edge AI chips, significantly increasing Europe's current AI computing capacity. The initiative is driven by concerns over dependence on foreign technology, which leaders fear could be exploited against European interests.
Europe currently lags behind the U.S. and China in AI development, facing challenges such as higher electricity costs for data centers and a limited domestic supply chain for essential components. While France's Mistral has established a significant AI data center, European companies are still struggling to keep pace with American and Chinese counterparts.
The EU plans to ensure that AI products developed within these new facilities adhere to the bloc's standards for data protection, safety, security, and ethics, referencing regulations like the Digital Services Act and Digital Market Act.