The EU is pouring €1.3 billion ($ 1.4 billion ) over the next two years to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. The money will support the development and assessment of “immersive surroundings” to use in healthcare for purposes like teaching and online patient assessments.
The investment may even support the implementation of the AI Act, which ensures all AI systems developed and used in the EU are done so safely and responsibly. Also, it will help build energy-efficient online public modern facilities, including electric vehicle charging ships. Many of the conceptual AI versions powering these efforts will be created by the EU’s Artificial factories, specialised study centres using strong supercomputers.
” Securing Western tech independence starts with investing in sophisticated technology and in making it possible for individuals to improve their online abilities”, Henna Virkkunen, professional vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said in a media release.
EU leaders double down on AI to secure digital future
Funding will also be allocated toward:
- Supporting European Digital Innovation Hubs, which offer companies training and resources in technologies such as AI.
- Building the Destination Earth digital model which simulates environmental changes to support policy-making and sustainability efforts.
- Improving the cyber security of critical infrastructure like hospitals and undersea cables.
- Building and promoting the EU Digital Wallet architecture that will allow citizens to store official documents, like passports and driving licenses, in a smartphone app.
- Supporting EU education and training institutes in providing digital skills and recruiting for these courses.
- Developing other secure, interoperable digital public services.
The funding comes from DIGITAL, a programme of €8.1 billion focused on increasing digitisation for businesses and individuals in the region. Businesses and other EU entities will be invited to apply for DIGITAL funding or programmes from next month.
SEE: UK Trails Behind Europe in Technical Skills Proficiency, Coursera Report Finds
Europe desperately wants to shake its reputation of being technologically behind
Europe has developed an unfortunate reputation for being behind other global superpowers when it comes to technology. According to a 2024 report from former European Central Bank President and economist Mario Draghi, Europe’s lack of innovation has led to the US outpacing the EU’s GDP by$ 9 trillion in 2023. Despite Europe’s top three R&, I investors being in tech,” we are failing to translate innovation into commercialisation”, he said, pushing entrepreneurs to relocate to the US.
A Google report published in October 2024 found that Europe spends only 2 % of its GDP on tech research, by contrast, the U. S. spends 3 %, and South Korea and Israel spend over 5 %. The region specifically lags in AI innovation, having only filed 2 % of global AI patents in 2022, while China and the U. S., the top two largest producers, filed 61 % and 21 %, respectively, according to Stanford University’s 2024 AI Index.
” Present gaps indicate that the EU risks falling behind the next wave of AI and needs to ramp up its efforts to remain competitive”, the Google researchers wrote. Among other recommendations, the report suggested that Europe invests in AI research to make it more accessible.
