AI Continent Action Plan: the first step towards Europe’s global leadership in AI
The European Commission launched on 9 April 2025 the AI Continent Action Plan, an ambitious strategy designed to push Europe to the forefront of global AI innovation. It rests on five strategic pillars, which you can discover in this news.
The European Commission launched today (9 April 2025) the AI Continent Action Plan, an ambitious strategy designed to push Europe to the forefront of global AI innovation. Unveiled following President von der Leyen’s keynote at the AI Action Summit in Paris this February, the plan sets out to transform Europe’s tech industry and exceptional talent pool into a world-leading AI ecosystem.
The Action Plan rests on five strategic pillars: infrastructure, data access, adoption in key sectors, talent development and regulatory simplification. Together, they form a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening the EU’s position in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
1. Creating a large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure
At the heart of the plan is the expansion of a large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure. This includes the roll-out of 13 AI Factories across Europe, leveraging the continent’s supercomputing assets to support startups, researchers, and industry.
Complementing this network, the Commission will establish AI Gigafactories—massive next-generation facilities powered by around 100,000 advanced AI chips, quadrupling the capacity of current AI Factories. These Gigafactories will be vital for developing frontier AI models and will bolster Europe’s strategic autonomy in science and high-tech industries. A call for expressions of interest for consortia interested in participating is now open.
To support this effort, the EU’s InvestAI initiative will mobilise €20 billion in funding to develop up to five Gigafactories across the Union.
In parallel, a proposed Cloud and AI Development Act aims to stimulate private investment in cloud infrastructure and data centres, with a goal to triple Europe’s data capacity in the next five to seven years, focusing on sustainable growth.
2. Data Access and Innovation: large and high-quality data
Access to large, high-quality data sets is essential for AI development. The Commission will launch Data Labs within AI Factories to curate and process such datasets. In 2025, the Data Union Strategy will be introduced to create an integrated European data market, helping AI solutions scale more efficiently across borders.
3. Developing algorithms and driving adoption in strategic EU sectors
Despite the promise of AI, only 13.5% of EU businesses currently use it. To bridge this gap, the Commission will soon launch the Apply AI Strategy, aimed at boosting adoption in strategic sectors such as healthcare, transport, energy, and public services. AI Factories and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) will play central roles in this effort.
4. Attracting and growing the skills of AI Talent
To meet growing demand, the Commission will support international recruitment of AI experts via initiatives such as the Talent Pool, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and a forthcoming AI Skills Academy. The Academy will also offer training programmes in AI and generative AI to foster new talent and upskill workers across sectors.
5. Simplifying Regulation and Building Trust
The AI Act, which entered into force on 1 August 2024, provides a legal framework to ensure trustworthy AI. To assist businesses with compliance, the Commission will also launch the AI Act Service Desk, to help businesses comply with the AI Act. It will serve as the central point of contact and hub for information and guidance on the AI Act.
Public Consultations and Industry Dialogue
The Commission today opened two public consultations, running until 4 June 2025:
- On the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act
- On the Apply AI Strategy, to gather feedback on barriers to adoption and policy priorities
A third consultation on the Data Union Strategy will launch in May. These will be accompanied by targeted dialogues with industry leaders and public authorities to gather insights and ensure inclusive, informed policy design.
The Commission will organise dialogues with industry representatives and the public sector to help shape the Apply AI Strategy. These dialogues, together with the public consultations, will identify relevant examples of untapped potential in adopting AI technologies in specific sectors, their current integration in business and production processes, and opportunities for scaling up within these sectors and the wider economy.
The AI Continent Action Plan builds on a series of recent policy milestones, including the enforcement of the AI Act, the launch of InvestAI, and the establishment of 13 AI Factories. As the global race for AI leadership intensifies, Europe’s coordinated approach seeks to turn regulatory clarity, industrial strength and scientific excellence into a competitive advantage. With today’s announcement, the European Commission is not only signalling its ambition but also laying the foundation for a digital future driven by ethical, secure and high-impact AI innovation.