EU launches 1.1 billion euro AI program for healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and defense

Europe’s edge in the AI race? It’s not only speed. It’s 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. Trust between countries. Between startups and corporates. Between innovators, policymakers, and researchers. At the INAI Summit 2025, co-hosted by Pelico, EthonAI, and SPREAD AI, industry experts, policymakers, researchers, and investors gathered to explore how trust and collaboration can drive Europe’s competitiveness in the era of Industrial AI. 💬 Robert Göbel (SPREAD AI), Jonathan Barry (Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute), Jeffrey Hojlo (IDC), and Vendeline von Bredow (The Economist) share how ecosystem openness and collaboration can turn Europe’s trust advantage into industrial AI at scale. 🤝 Let’s turn Europe’s trust advantage into scalable innovation. #INAI2025 General Catalyst EU AI Champions Initiative

The European Commission just announced a €1 billion “Apply AI” strategy to boost artificial intelligence adoption across key industries — from manufacturing to healthcare — as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on U.S. and Chinese technologies. This initiative follows the EU’s landmark AI Act, and marks a strategic shift from regulation to real-world implementation. The goal is clear: empower European startups and enterprises to innovate responsibly while strengthening Europe’s digital independence. As AI becomes the new foundation of competitiveness, this move signals a pivotal moment for Europe’s tech ecosystem — one focused on trust, transparency, and transformation. 🤖 What do you think — will Europe’s “Apply AI” plan successfully balance innovation and regulation? #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Europe #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #AIRegulation #TechSovereignty

While Silicon Valley builds AI empires, Brussels chose a different path. €4 billion for an 'AI First' strategy that prioritizes safety over speed. The trade-offs are fascinating. The EU just launched two major AI strategies. Both part of their bigger AI Continent Action Plan. Commission President von der Leyen wants "the future of AI to be made in Europe." Bold vision. Smart approach. Here's what they're doing: ✅ €1 billion for AI adoption in healthcare, energy, manufacturing ✅ AI-powered screening centers for better patient care ✅ €3 billion+ planned for Horizon Europe AI investments ✅ €600 million for computing power access The RAISE initiative caught my attention. It's a virtual institute pooling AI resources for scientific advancement. Europe isn't trying to outspend Silicon Valley. They're building something different. Digital sovereignty through open-source AI. Safety standards built in from day one. Strategic sectors prioritized over flashy consumer apps. But there's a gap. Limited focus on chips and cloud infrastructure. Two areas where Europe still depends heavily on US and Chinese tech. The real test? Whether €1 billion can actually accelerate AI adoption. Or if it's just expensive window dressing. I think Europe's betting on quality over quantity. Regulated innovation over rapid deployment. Smart? Maybe. Risky? Definitely. What's your take - can Europe build AI leadership through regulation and strategic investment? #AI #EuropeanUnion #DigitalSovereignty 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲꞉ https://lnkd.in/g7Mezhpn

New European AI Strategy: €1 Billion to Drive Digital Sovereignty 🚀 The European Commission has rolled out its bold new "Apply AI Strategy," committing €1 billion to accelerate the use of Artificial Intelligence across critical industries. This isn't just about innovation—it's a decisive move toward digital sovereignty, aiming to reduce Europe's reliance on non-European tech giants. Key Focus: Widespread AI adoption across Europe's industrial base. Sectors to Watch for AI Acceleration: Healthcare (e.g., AI-powered screening centers) Defence (e.g., sovereign AI models for sensitive systems) Manufacturing (e.g., agentic AI development) Energy & Mobility Agri-food, Pharmaceuticals, and Public Services As Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, "I want the future of AI to be made in Europe." This strategy, which includes supporting open-source generative AI and leveraging public procurement, signals a major shift in how the EU approaches industrial competition and technological independence. What are your thoughts on this strategic investment? Which sector do you believe will see the biggest transformation from the "AI-first" mindset? #AI #EuropeanUnion #DigitalSovereignty #TechPolicy #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureofWork #Innovation

The European Commission announced a $1.1 billion plan to boost AI in key industries. This initiative aims to reduce the EU's dependence on U.S. and Chinese technologies and promote strategic autonomy. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the goal is for AI's future to be made in Europe, emphasizing widespread adoption across sectors like healthcare, energy, and automotive. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gxy8VZjm 📰 Subscribe to the weekly AI Policy Brief: https://lnkd.in/ekKdg9yS #ai #artificialintelligence #ainews #aifunding #airegulations

Artificial intelligence is transforming every sector, from healthcare to industry. But in Europe, the question is: Will regulation enable innovation or hold it back? A couple of weeks ago, together with my business partner, Dr. Peter M. Kovacs, I had the privilege of speaking with Jan Kavalirek, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Government Envoy for AI in the Czech Republic. Jan is leading efforts to shape the national AI strategy and to position Czechia as one of Europe’s most competitive innovation hubs. What I value most is his ability to connect government, business, and academia in a way that keeps both ethics and competitiveness in focus. We explored: • Why simplification of AI regulation is critical for Europe’s competitiveness. • How startups and SMEs can be supported to bring AI solutions to market. • What lessons healthcare and MedTech can offer in balancing regulation and innovation. • Why collaboration across borders is essential if Europe wants to remain a leader. AI must always serve as a partner, not a master. To achieve this, Europe must be ambitious, ethical, and fast. This is THE BRIDGE between innovation and real-world impact. Listen to the new episode of THE BRIDGE with Jan Kavalírek and Peter M. Kovacs. Find the Episode here: https://lnkd.in/eqa2NAJH

Great to see Kent Walker take the stage at the POLITICO Competitive Europe Summit today to discuss how Europe can seize its €1.2 trillion AI opportunity. His message was clear: to fully realise this potential, we must close the gap between ambition and action. He highlighted three core pillars for progress:  ➡️ Simplifying regulation to foster innovation  ➡️ Building future-ready digital skills  ➡️ Creating the right environment to scale new technologies For a deeper dive, our Chief Economist Fabien Curto Millet recently shared his view on just how well-positioned Europe is to lead in the AI era. https://lnkd.in/exbgDdsQ

tl;dr : << close the gap between ambition and action >> How can Europe bootstrap its AI development * now *, with the controls members states need to use worldclass technology and keep a competitive position in the sectors and with values that matter to us ?

European deeptech is moving fast!💥 Hivenet and Inria have joined forces once again to launch 𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐈, an ambitious research project bringing together 11 Inria teams and 9 PhD researchers to explore how distributed AI can run efficiently beyond massive data centers. 🎯 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: to prove that high-performance AI can also be ethical, efficient, and human-centered. This is exactly the kind of innovation we stand for at OneRagtime: 👉 Technology serving people, 👉 Responsible and energy-efficient innovation, 👉 Performance with purpose and impact. Congratulations to Bruno Sportisse from Inria, David Gurle, Queenie Chan, and the entire Hivenet team for pushing the boundaries of distributed computing and showing what a more private, resilient, and human-centered AI can look like. 💡 The future of AI is collaborative, decentralized, and sustainable, and 𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐈 is a perfect example of that vision in action! #AI #Deeptech #Innovation #VentureCapital #EuropeanTech

The discussion around AI's democratising potential, as highlighted by figures like U.S. Fed Governor Waller, resonates deeply with my vision for Europe: "Responsible Freedom" in AI innovation. As an independent expert, I see how AI can empower individuals and SMEs, unlocking unprecedented innovation and economic resilience. It shifts expertise, creating opportunities for many. Our challenge is to navigate this transformation with foresight. We must champion an open, competitive AI ecosystem, fostering innovation without the dual risks of unchecked monopolies or stifling over-regulation. "Responsible Freedom" means building a framework that: ✅ Fuels innovation: Enabling groundbreaking AI development across the Union. ✅ Ensures equitable access: Spreading AI benefits broadly, preventing concentration of power. ✅ Upholds our values: Integrating robust ethical and safety standards from inception. I believe Europe can lead in shaping an AI future that is both dynamic and secure, empowering its citizens and businesses to thrive. #AI #EUPolicy #ResponsibleFreedom #Innovation #DigitalTransformation