Home / Technology / EU Bets Big on Tech Sovereignty
EU Bets Big on Tech Sovereignty
3 Jun
Summary
- EU proposes new package to boost homegrown tech capacity.
- Legislation focuses on semiconductors, AI, cloud, and open-source.
- Plans aim to triple data center capacity in five to seven years.
The European Commission has introduced a comprehensive European Technological Sovereignty Package to enhance the continent's self-sufficiency in key technology sectors. This initiative aims to reduce the EU's dependence on foreign technology by investing in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and open-source projects.
The package features two legislative proposals. The refreshed Chips Act 2.0 will introduce an excellence label for European semiconductor regions, fostering an ecosystem approach for AI-related and mainstream chips. Concurrently, the Cloud and AI Development Act seeks to triple the EU's data center capacity over the next five to seven years, streamline deployment conditions, and establish a new EU-wide framework for cloud and AI sovereignty.
Further components include support for open-source projects and a strategic roadmap for digitalization in the energy sector, emphasizing sustainable data center integration and the use of AI models trained on European data. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that this is crucial for protecting citizens and vital infrastructure. The proposals will now undergo discussion in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
