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 testing of “immersive surroundings” to use in medical for purposes like coaching and digital patient assessments.
The investment may also support the implementation of the , which ensures all AI systems developed and used in the EU are done so safely and properly. 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 autonomy starts with investing in sophisticated technology and in making it possible for individuals to improve their online capabilities”, Henna Virkkunen, professional vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said in a media release.
Union leaders twice along on AI to secure online future
Funding will also be allocated toward:
- Supporting European Digital Innovation Hubs, which offer companies training and tools in systems such as AI.
- Building the Destination Earth electronic model which simulates climate changes to help policy-making and sustainable efforts.
- Improving the computer surveillance of critical facilities like hospitals and undersea cables.
- Building and promoting the EU Digital Wallet layout that will allow people to keep official documents, like passports and driving licenses, in a smartphone app.
- Supporting Union education and training schools in providing online skills and enlisting for these courses.
- Developing another secure, integrated digital public services.
The money comes from DIGITAL, a program of €8.1 billion focused on increasing automation for businesses and individuals in the region. Companies and other Union institutions will get invited to apply for DIGITAL money or programmes from next month.
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Europe sorely wants to shake its reputation of being functionally behind
Europe has developed an unlucky reputation for being behind other world powers when it comes to technology. According to a 2024 record from former European Central Bank President and scholar Mario Draghi, Europe’s lack of innovation has led to the US surpassing the EU’s GDP by$ 9 trillion in 2023. Despite Europe’s top three R&, I buyers being in software,” we are failing to adapt technology into commercialisation”, he said, pushing companies to travel 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.