EU Launches AI Factories Initiative to Boost European AI Leadership
Brussels, Tuesday, 10 September 2024.
The European Commission has introduced AI Factories, a new initiative to strengthen Europe’s position in trustworthy AI. This program will provide crucial resources—computing power, data, and talent—to AI developers, leveraging the EU’s supercomputer network to train large generative AI models.
Harnessing the Power of Supercomputers
The AI Factories initiative will utilize the European High-Performance Computing (HPC) supercomputers, a network known for its world-class capabilities. These supercomputers will provide the necessary computational power to train large generative AI models. By leveraging these resources, AI developers across Europe will be able to process vast amounts of data more efficiently and effectively, accelerating innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
A Collaborative Framework
The AI Factories will be interconnected across Europe, creating a cohesive and collaborative AI framework. This networked approach will enable startups, industry players, and researchers to collaborate seamlessly, sharing data, computing power, and expertise. This will not only foster innovation but also ensure that AI development in Europe is aligned with the highest standards of trustworthiness and safety, as outlined by the EU AI Act.
Leadership and Vision
The initiative is spearheaded by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. She emphasized the importance of this program in maintaining Europe’s leadership in AI. ‘Europe is already leading the way with the EU AI Act, ensuring AI is safer and more trustworthy. Now, Europe must also become a global leader in AI innovation. AI Factories will help secure our position at the forefront of this transformative technology,’ von der Leyen stated.
Impact on the Tech Industry
The AI Factories initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the European tech industry. By providing access to state-of-the-art computational resources, the initiative will lower the barriers to entry for AI startups and SMEs. This, in turn, will stimulate economic growth and job creation in the tech sector. Moreover, the focus on trustworthy AI will build public confidence in AI technologies, facilitating their wider adoption across various industries.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, the AI Factories initiative aligns with broader European efforts to enhance competitiveness in digital technology. The recent Draghi report on European competitiveness highlights the need for substantial investment in AI and other digital technologies to keep pace with global leaders like the US and China. By boosting AI innovation and reducing deployment costs, the AI Factories initiative will play a crucial role in achieving these strategic objectives.