The European Commission is set to announce a new strategic plan aimed at fostering the development and adoption of homegrown artificial intelligence. The initiative, called the "Apply AI strategy," seeks to reduce the European Union's technological dependence on the United States and China while strengthening its industrial and security capabilities.
According to a draft of the proposal, the strategy will focus on promoting European-developed AI tools across critical sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and defense. The plan emphasizes achieving "EU AI sovereignty" by creating a resilient and secure technology ecosystem within the bloc.
Key Takeaways
- The European Commission will introduce the "Apply AI strategy" to promote European-made artificial intelligence.
- The plan aims to achieve "AI sovereignty" and reduce technological reliance on the US and China.
- A key focus is on integrating AI into critical sectors like defense, healthcare, and manufacturing.
- The strategy allocates €1 billion from existing programs to support AI adoption in industry and health.
- A major goal is to develop independent European AI capabilities for military command and control systems.
The Drive for Technological Independence
The European Union's new AI strategy is a direct response to growing geopolitical uncertainties and the bloc's reliance on foreign technology infrastructure. Officials in Brussels have expressed concerns that this dependence poses significant risks to supply chains and national security.
A draft of the strategy, which is scheduled to be presented by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, warns that "external dependencies of the AI stack" can be exploited. The document states that the infrastructure and software needed to build and manage AI applications "can be weaponised" by both state and non-state actors.
Geopolitical Context
The push for digital independence in Europe has gained momentum amid concerns about potential shifts in US foreign policy and the rapid advancement of China's AI sector. European leaders are increasingly advocating for policies that ensure the bloc can control its own critical digital infrastructure without external influence.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of the initiative, stating the bloc wants to "speed up AI adoption across the board." The goal is to ensure Europe does not fall behind in a technology that is reshaping the global economy and security landscape.
A Strategic Asset for Europe
The "Apply AI strategy" positions artificial intelligence as more than just a tool for productivity. Brussels views AI as a "strategic asset" that must be deeply integrated into the EU's industrial, institutional, and security frameworks.
To achieve this, the plan outlines several key actions:
- Promoting European AI in Public Services: The strategy calls for public administrations to lead the way by adopting "European scalable and replicable generative AI solutions." This is intended to create stable demand and help local AI startups grow.
- Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness: The initiative aims to boost the use of AI in key industries like manufacturing to improve efficiency and innovation.
- Enhancing Healthcare: The plan supports the integration of AI tools in the health sector to improve diagnostics, treatment, and research.
Funding the Initiative
To implement these goals, the European Commission is mobilizing €1 billion from existing financing programs. This funding is specifically targeted at supporting the adoption of AI technologies in the manufacturing and health sectors, helping businesses and institutions transition to AI-driven operations.
While Europe is home to several promising AI companies, such as France's Mistral and Germany's Helsing, the region remains heavily dependent on the US and Asia for essential components. This includes software, advanced hardware like semiconductors, and the critical minerals required to produce them.
Focus on Defense and Security
A significant portion of the new strategy is dedicated to strengthening the EU's defense capabilities through artificial intelligence. As European nations increase military spending in response to regional threats and concerns over the reliability of international security alliances, developing independent defense technology has become a priority.
The strategy explicitly plans to "accelerate the development and deployment of European AI-enabled" command and control (C2) capacities.
"The Commission wants to support the development of sovereign frontier models for space defence technology," the draft proposal states, underscoring the ambition to build independent, advanced AI for critical military applications.
C2 systems are vital for directing troops and managing operations on the battlefield. Currently, many European militaries rely heavily on systems provided by the United States through the NATO framework. By fostering homegrown AI for these systems, the EU aims to reduce this dependency and enhance its operational autonomy.
Building a Sovereign AI Ecosystem
The overarching goal of the "Apply AI strategy" is to build a self-sufficient AI ecosystem. This involves not only funding research and development but also creating a market for European AI products. By encouraging public sector adoption, the EU hopes to create a virtuous cycle where government contracts fuel the growth of local AI companies.
The draft proposal notes that public administrations have a central role to play to "help AI start-ups grow through increased demand for European-made open source AI solutions." This approach is designed to nurture a competitive landscape of European AI providers that can eventually compete on a global scale.
The strategy represents a clear shift in how the EU views technology. Rather than simply regulating foreign platforms, Brussels is now taking proactive steps to build its own technological capacity, ensuring that the future of AI in Europe is developed and controlled from within.