Key facts
- ASML invested €1.3 billion in Mistral AI in September 2025, valuing the startup at €11.7 billion.
- The EU is pursuing initiatives to accelerate AI research, deployment, and strategic autonomy.
- Europe is investing in data centers and cloud infrastructure while addressing cyberattack risks.
Europe is actively developing its indigenous AI ecosystem through significant industrial partnerships, coordinated EU policies, and substantial infrastructure investments. A key development is the €1.7 billion Series C funding round for Mistral AI, led by ASML with a €1.3 billion investment, valuing the French AI startup at approximately €11.7 billion. This alliance positions ASML as Mistral's largest shareholder and aims to integrate Mistral's AI models into ASML's operations, fostering European tech consolidation and sovereignty. The EU is also pushing AI adoption through initiatives like 'Apply AI' and the proposed European AI Office, alongside data center expansion. However, this progress is tempered by regulatory scrutiny, security concerns, and supply-chain challenges, including high-impact cyberattacks.