The AI Continent Action Plan launched by the European Commission

The AI Continent Action Plan launched by the European Commission

Last week, the European Commission launched the AI Continent Action Plan, with the objective of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI).

Background

This plan follows a lot of different initiatives from the EC regarding AI:

The AI Continent Action Plan

It will boost the European Union's AI innovation capabilities through actions and policies around five key pillars:  

  1. Building a large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure  

The Commission will strengthen Europe's AI and supercomputing infrastructure with a network of AI Factories – with 13 of these factories already being deployed around Europe's world-leading supercomputers. As announced in the Competitiveness Compass, the EU will also help set up AI Gigafactories, to lead the next wave of frontier AI models and maintain the EU's strategic autonomy in critical industrial sectors and science, requiring public and private investments. A dedicated call for expression of interest for interested consortia has been published – with more information on the ERRIN Noticeboard here.

  1. Increasing access to large and high-quality data

Bolstering AI innovation also requires access to large volumes of high-quality data. An important element of the Action Plan is the creation of Data Labs, bringing together and curating large, high-quality data volumes from different sources in AI Factories. A comprehensive Data Union Strategy will be launched in 2025 to create a true internal market for data that can scale up AI solutions.

  1. Developing algorithms and fostering AI adoption in strategic EU sectors

The Commission will launch the Apply AI Strategy in the coming months to boost AI adoption in EU strategic public and private sectors. European AI innovation infrastructure, including notably the AI Factories and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), will play an important role in this Strategy.

  1. Strengthening AI skills and talents

To meet the rising demand for AI talent, the Commission will facilitate international recruitment of highly skilled AI experts and researchers through initiatives such as the Talent Pool, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ‘MSCA Choose Europe' and AI fellowships schemes offered by the upcoming AI Skills Academy. The EC will also develop educational and training programmes on AI and Generative AI in key sectors, preparing the next generation of AI specialists and supporting the upskilling and reskilling of workers.

  1. Regulatory simplification

The AI Act raises citizens' trust in technology and provides investors and entrepreneurs with the legal certainty they need to scale up and deploy AI throughout Europe. The Commission will also launch the AI Act Service Desk, to help businesses comply with the AI Act. It will serve as the central point of contact and hub for information and guidance on the AI Act.

Next steps

With this Action Plan, the Commission today opens two public consultations, running until 4 June 2025, to further shape these AI Continent Action Plan initiatives.

  • A public consultation inviting all interested parties to share their views on the Cloud and AI Development Act
  • A public consultation on Apply AI to identify stakeholder priorities, challenges to the uptake of AI, and the relevance of proposed solutions and policy approaches—including additional measures to ensure the smooth and simple application of the AI Act.

A third public consultation on Data Union Strategy will be launched in May. In parallel, the Commission will organise dialogues with industry representatives and the public sector to help shape the Apply AI Strategy.

You can find more information and all supporting documents on this page.