EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen outlined a detailed AI Continent Action Plan adopted by the College, aiming to capitalize on Europe’s existing strengths in artificial intelligence and accelerate policy actions in five key areas.
Strengthening AI Infrastructure with Gigafactories
Virkkunen emphasized establishing AI Factories across Europe, complemented by ambitious plans for AI Gigafactories through public-private partnerships. A notable initiative is the InvestAI Facility, proposing to mobilize EUR 20 billion for up to five Gigafactories. The plan includes a Call for Interest targeting Member States and private investors to catalyze these infrastructure projects.
Enhancing Data Access and Adoption
The Action Plan also advances the creation of Data Labs for pooling and securely sharing high-quality data. However, Virkkunen highlights only 13% of EU companies currently use AI, underscoring the need for wider adoption, particularly in strategic sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, and the public sector to foster productivity and innovation.
Fostering AI Talent and Regulatory Simplicity
Another pillar focuses on strengthening AI skills through enhanced education and attracting non-EU experts via legal immigration channels. A pilot AI Academy project will engage researchers with AI Factories. On regulation, the plan pledges to minimize burdens by providing guidance, standards, and an AI Service Desk to clarify the AI Act’s provisions. Notably, 85% of AI systems remain unregulated under the risk-based AI Act, a point Virkkunen underlined to assure businesses of regulatory simplicity.
Stakeholder Impacts and Political Orientation
The plan signals an increased role for EU-level coordination in AI infrastructure and skills development, balancing enhanced regulation with innovation-friendly approaches. EU producers in AI technology and startups stand to benefit from funding and infrastructure; public sectors like healthcare may see productivity gains via AI adoption. National governments may face pressures to engage in public-private partnerships. Meanwhile, AI users in SMEs receive support via regulatory clarifications, potentially lowering compliance costs.
Virkkunen’s speech signals a proactive EU stance to close the innovation gap with other global players by intensifying investment and simplifying regulation, without imposing stringent new controls on the majority of AI systems today. The concrete budgetary targets and infrastructure plans distinguish this approach from declarative support, with a practical roadmap starting immediately.