The European Commission is rallying European businesses—especially in pharmaceuticals, energy, defence, healthcare, mobility, manufacturing, construction, agri‑food, communications and culture—to adopt AI solutions developed within the bloc. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared, “I want the future of AI to be made in Europe,” urging firms to favour European tools wherever possible to reduce reliance on foreign providers .
To back the push, the EU is mobilising €1 billion ($1.6 billion) from its Horizon research programme, with matching funds expected from member states and the private sector. The money will fund flagship projects such as autonomous‑car trials, advanced cancer‑screening centres, AI‑powered gigafactories and a tripling of data‑centre capacity, aiming to create a robust, home‑grown AI ecosystem .
Current adoption is low: only about 13 % of European companies used AI last year, though that number has risen since. The Commission’s goal is to lift the share to 75 % by 2030, targeting a “widespread, AI‑first mindset” across all critical sectors. By doing so, the EU hopes to spark smarter, faster and more affordable solutions while strengthening its strategic autonomy .
The initiative also stresses ethical, transparent AI that aligns with European values and regulations. By developing trustworthy, locally tailored AI, the bloc aims to enhance competitiveness, create high‑quality jobs and safeguard supply chains from external dependencies that could be weaponised .
