European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe needs an investment of at least 500 billion euros to strengthen its technological independence in the field of artificial intelligence.
Von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa spoke at a joint press conference after the informal EU Leaders Summit held in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.
Stating that the leaders evaluated the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and the risks it brings with the participation of Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch and Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, von der Leyen emphasized that this technology will shape the coming decades.
Artificial intelligence is a technological turning point for Europe
Von der Leyen said, "Every generation faces a technological turning point that shapes the coming decades. This turning point for our generation is artificial intelligence. It is imperative that Europe takes the right steps on this issue."
Reminding that Europe has world-class industrial establishments, a deep-rooted production tradition, strong scientific expertise and a large amount of valuable industrial data, von der Leyen said that Europe should transform these strengths into global leadership.
Von der Leyen stated that the rapid dissemination of artificial intelligence, strengthening technological capacity and independence, and setting clear rules that will ensure trust are among her priorities.
Noting that an average of 37 percent of businesses in the EU use artificial intelligence, von der Leyen said that they want to move artificial intelligence "from the screen to the real world." Stating that they are focusing on the sectors where technology can create the most value and impact, von der Leyen stated that they will announce the first part of their work, which includes concrete steps, within two weeks.
Seven AI gigafactories are planned
Emphasizing that Europe needs large-scale computing capacity, von der Leyen said that researchers and startups can access supercomputer infrastructure through 19 artificial intelligence factories across Europe.
Stating that they are expanding this infrastructure with artificial intelligence gigafactories, von der Leyen said, "There are currently 7 artificial intelligence gigafactories in the planning stage, and we can mobilize a resource of approximately 30 billion euros for these facilities."
Stating that increasing processing capacity is critical for Europe to develop its own artificial intelligence models, von der Leyen said, "The goals I mentioned regarding artificial intelligence require huge investments. According to our estimates, an investment of at least 500 billion euros is needed."
Von der Leyen said Europe has created a vibrant startup ecosystem, but many companies do not have access to the support they need to grow. Von der Leyen stated that they established the Scaleup Europe Fund to meet this need.
Stating that the gap in large investments in chips, computing capacity and the most advanced artificial intelligence models must be closed, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of completing the Savings and Investment Union and attracting private sector investments.
Von der Leyen said the EU's next long-term budget should also reflect this goal. Stating that the leaders demonstrated a common will on financing technological independence, von der Leyen stated that she would present an ambitious proposal at the next meeting.
EU leaders discuss artificial intelligence comprehensively for the first time
EU Council President Costa stated that the leaders held their first comprehensive meeting on artificial intelligence and emphasized that artificial intelligence is the most important technology of the age.
Costa said that Europe should benefit from artificial intelligence in many areas, from increasing productivity to improving public services, and effectively manage the risks posed by this technology.
Stating that Europe should be a leading and independent actor in critical areas of the artificial intelligence value chain to ensure its strategic autonomy, Costa noted that Europe should mobilize public and private sector investments to develop its own competitive artificial intelligence models. Costa stated that a significant amount of additional financing is needed to catch up with global competitors and that the EU's next long-term budget and the new European Competitiveness Fund will play a decisive role in this process.
Stating that open control mechanisms to manage the risks arising from artificial intelligence are a prerequisite for ensuring the trust of the society, Costa said, "Artificial intelligence strategy cannot be successful without trust."
Costa said that the EU can contribute to shaping global standards by leveraging its experience in artificial intelligence governance. He stated that the Union should play an active role in discussions within the G7, G20 and the United Nations (UN).
Stating that the effects of artificial intelligence on the labor market and the sustainability of Europe's social model should also be evaluated, Costa stated that the issue will be discussed again at the EU Leaders Summit on February 5.
