EU Commission Unveils Plan to Support AI Uptake, Protect Key Sectors

The European Commission (EU) has unveiled a new strategy to encourage more companies across the continent to adopt artificial intelligence. Known as the AI Continent Action Plan, the initiative covers key areas such as digital infrastructure, cloud computing, access to data, workforce skills, and regulatory simplification. The overarching goal is to modernize Europe’s established industries and position them at the forefront of AI-driven innovation.

At the launch of the plan, Henna Virkkunen, the EU Tech Commissioner, emphasized the importance of building internal capabilities in essential sectors to reduce reliance on external partners. She highlighted chips, AI, and quantum technologies as strategic priorities for Europe’s future.

She acknowledged that while the EU currently benefits from strong cooperation with the United States in the area of chips, relying solely on foreign suppliers is not a sustainable option. To address this, the EU is working on a second version of its Chips Act to strengthen domestic production.

As part of the rollout, the Commission is seeking input from companies through a public consultation process open until June. Businesses are encouraged to share their views on the proposed AI and Cloud Development Act, as well as the broader Apply AI strategy. The goal is to understand the practical challenges that hinder AI adoption and to tailor support accordingly.

The recent initiative builds on the foundation laid by the AI Act, which was passed by the EU last year. The legislation introduces a risk-based framework for AI tools and systems, with full enforcement scheduled for 2027. The EU aims to have seventy-five percent of companies using AI technologies in their operations by the year 2030.

A major component of the new plan includes the construction of AI gigafactories. These facilities will host approximately 100,000 state-of-the-art AI chips—four times more than what is currently available in similar centers. The purpose is to ensure that even smaller enterprises can access high-performance computing resources, leveling the playing field for innovation.

The first such gigafactory could be operational by 2026, with €20 billion ($22 billion) earmarked to support the development of these sites.

Despite these efforts, recent data from the Commission reveals that Europe is still trailing in artificial intelligence investment and innovation, particularly when compared to the United States.

One major reason is the burden of complex regulations, which has led many tech firms to relocate. The data shows that a hundred and forty-seven startups in Europe reached billion-dollar valuations between 2018 and 2021, but nearly a third moved overseas, most of them to the U.S.

U.S.-based AI companies like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) will be hoping that the U.S. also formulates comprehensive policies that support the AI industry to ensure that America maintains its place at the top of innovation in this sector.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS

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