EU to expand infrastructure for artificial intelligence development

The European Commission on Friday announced six additional locations for so-called artificial intelligence (AI) factories across the bloc to boost innovation in the field.

The sites in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Poland are to be deployed next year and come in addition to 13 previously announced locations.

There are concerns that Europe may struggle to keep pace with the rapid developments in AI in recent years.

The new hubs “will give startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and industry direct access to AI-optimized supercomputers, technical expertise and tailored support to develop and deploy advanced AI solutions,” the commission said.

Participants are to receive support to develop AI-ready data and gain access to AI-optimized resources, training and technical expertise.

The commission hopes to strengthen “Europe’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence and ensures that AI solutions can be developed, tested and scaled within a digitally sovereign European ecosystem.”