European Commission President von der Leyen announces an extensive AI investment initiative during the Paris AI Action Summit.
During the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Europe will allocate two hundred billion euros for investments in artificial intelligence.
Of this amount, twenty billion euros will be specifically designated for AI gigafactories, which aim to equip companies with the necessary computing power to train intricate AI models through cooperative development.
The initiative, referred to as InvestAI, is intended to facilitate the establishment of public-private partnerships and will be financed through existing EU programs with digital elements, such as the Digital Europe Programme, Horizon Europe, and InvestEU.
EU member states are also encouraged to contribute using specific cohesion funds.
The Commission stated that this new funding will enable European businesses, including smaller enterprises, to obtain access to extensive computing power, with the initial plan unveiling seven AI gigafactories in December and intentions to announce an additional five shortly.
These facilities are anticipated to accommodate approximately one hundred thousand next-generation AI chips, roughly quadrupling the capacity of current AI factories.
This announcement comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron's recent announcement of a one hundred nine billion euro investment plan for AI initiatives in France.
In a distinct move last month, newly appointed U.S. President
Donald Trump revealed a collaboration with major technology firms to invest billions into AI infrastructure in the United States, featuring an immediate deployment of one hundred billion dollars, with potential escalations reaching five hundred billion dollars over four years.
The InvestAI initiative is integral to the EU's broader agenda outlined in its Competitiveness Compass, which seeks to enhance growth through strategic technologies.
The Commission highlighted that this investment aims to support a European approach to AI characterized by openness, collaboration, and the cultivation of high-quality talent.