Artificial Intelligence

What the EU does

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses operate, reshaping public services, and revolutionising science. As AI develops, it can offer even more benefits to citizens and businesses across Europe.

The EU is focused on maintaining its place as one of the global leaders in AI. To achieve this, we are putting in place initiatives that harness the untapped potential of our researchers and industries and support European startups and SMEs.

At the same time, it is crucial that AI is a force for good. That is why we are working to build trustworthy AI in Europe. One that puts people first and protects our fundamental rights.

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Facts and figures

€200 billion to boost AI development in Europe

€20 billion to finance up to five AI gigafactories

19 AI factories will support startups, industry, and research activities

Areas of action

AI Act

World’s first AI law, managing risks and boosting Europe’s leadership

AI continent action plan

Setting a course to make Europe a global leader in trustworthy AI

Apply AI strategy

Enhancing the competitiveness of strategic sectors

AI factories

Hubs uniting computing, data, and talent for trustworthy AI

AI in science

Putting the EU at the forefront of AI-driven research and scientific innovation

AI innovation package

Supporting European startups and SMEs in developing trustworthy AI

Key achievements

In 2024, the EU put in place the world's first comprehensive legal framework on AI, the AI act, setting the standards for trustworthy and human-centric AI. To help ensure its smooth rollout, the Commission also launched the AI Act Service Desk and Single Information Platform, in October 2025.
The European AI Office was established in May 2024 to ensure a coherent implementation and enforcement of the AI Act, but also promote the development and adoption of AI technologies in Europe.
Following the 2024 AI innovation package, the work has begun on 19 AI factories across 16 Member States, the majority of which are expected to be operational by the end of 2026. These AI factories will bring together EU supercomputers, large data resources, training facilities, universities, start-ups and human capital to create a powerful innovation environment that pushes the boundaries of technology. In parallel, 13 complementary AI Factory Antennas will strengthen national AI ecosystems and extend access to AI-optimised supercomputing resources across Europe.
The General-Purpose AI code of practice was drawn up by independent experts to help the industry comply with the AI Act's requirements for general-purpose AI. The Commission has endorsed this code supporting adherence as means for organisations to demonstrate compliance.

In focus

Strengthening Europe’s tech sovereignty

The European Commission has put forward the European technological sovereignty package, to strengthen the EU’s capacity in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and open source. It will help Europe become a leader in AI, strengthen its digital autonomy and help build a more sustainable digital future. These new measures should speed up efforts to meet the objectives of the AI continent action plan, whilst building on other initiatives such as the Competitiveness Compass and the Economic Security Strategy.