EU unveils €20bn plan for advanced AI ‘gigafactories’
The European Union has announced a €20 billion plan to establish advanced AI centres across Europe, according to a report in The Guardian. These facilities, called ‘gigafactories,’ are intended to accelerate the development of advanced AI models and position Europe as a leader in the global AI race. With this initiative, the EU is trying to catch up with the United States and China, which have already made great strides in AI research and applications.
The US currently dominates the field and produces a much larger number of influential AI models compared to other regions.
The proposed gigafactories will be significantly larger than existing AI factories and house supercomputers with more than 100,000 advanced processors. This significant computing power is essential for tackling ambitious ‘moonshot’ projects in healthcare, biotechnology, industry, robotics and scientific discovery. While the EU is committed to using green energy sources for these energy-intensive facilities, concerns remain about the potential environmental impact.
Campaigners warn that the massive energy consumption of data centers could undermine European renewable energy targets.
To finance the project, the EU plans to use public money to attract private investment through a facility managed by the European Investment Bank. The estimated cost for each gigafactory ranges from €3 billion to €5 billion.
The commission remains committed to the core principles of the AI law, but recognises that ways are being sought to streamline administrative processes for companies. The debate over the balance between innovation and responsible AI development continues as the EU strives to establish itself as a leader in the field.
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