European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that Europe is determined to lead in the artificial intelligence revolution, emphasizing that the AI race is still wide open.
The AI Race: Europe’s Unique Approach
Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris, von der Leyen dismissed the notion that the United States and China have already locked in leadership in AI. Instead, she underscored that Europe has distinct strengths that position it as a global contender.
“Too often, I hear that Europe is falling behind in AI while the US and China dominate,” she said. “I disagree. The frontier is constantly evolving, and global leadership remains up for grabs.”
Rather than imitating others, von der Leyen advocated for leveraging Europe’s scientific excellence and technological expertise to foster an AI ecosystem rooted in collaboration and innovation.
Investment in AI Factories and Gigafactories
A significant part of Europe’s AI strategy involves bolstering its computational infrastructure. The continent already hosts some of the world’s fastest supercomputers, which will serve as the foundation for newly established AI factories.
“We have already launched 12 AI factories, with a total investment of €10 billion,” she revealed. “This is the largest public AI investment globally and will unlock over ten times more private capital.”
Furthering this initiative, von der Leyen announced plans for AI gigafactories, akin in scale to CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. These facilities will provide the computational power needed to train next-generation AI models while fostering collaboration between researchers, startups, and enterprises.
Regulating AI Through the EU AI Act
Beyond innovation, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of ensuring AI safety and trustworthiness. The EU AI Act serves as a cornerstone of this effort, harmonizing regulations across member states.
“The AI Act establishes a single set of safety rules for 450 million people, eliminating the complexity of 27 different national regulations,” she said. However, she acknowledged the need to streamline bureaucracy, stating, “We must cut red tape to support businesses and AI growth.”
Massive Public-Private AI Investment
To maintain its AI competitiveness, Europe is mobilizing an unprecedented €200 billion in AI investments through the EU AI Champions Initiative and the newly launched InvestAI program.
“This will be the largest public-private partnership globally for advancing trustworthy AI,” von der Leyen said, emphasizing a focus on industrial and mission-critical applications.
AI as a Global Responsibility
In closing, von der Leyen framed Europe’s AI ambitions within a broader ethical context, arguing that AI should benefit humanity.
“AI must be inclusive and accessible to all, including our partners in the Global South,” she stated. “We want an AI that fosters collaboration, where everyone benefits. That is our European way.”
As Europe accelerates its AI initiatives, its unique approach—rooted in regulation, collaboration, and innovation—could redefine the global AI landscape. For more on how AI is shaping industries worldwide, check out AI Innovations in 2025: Key Trends Shaping the Future.
