European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to boost AI development in the European Union by granting AI startups access to supercomputers.
Europe currently hosts three of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, making it a key player in AI innovation. Von der Leyen stressed the urgency of creating a global framework for AI due to its rapid development, and Europe aims to make two exascale computers accessible to researchers and industry by 2025.
The European Parliament has already approved regulations to address AI’s societal impacts, with the AI Act expected to enter into force in early 2026 after final negotiations.
In the interim, von der Leyen revealed that the EU will collaborate with AI companies to encourage voluntary commitments to the principles outlined in the AI Act. This approach aligns with the strategy employed by the Biden administration in the United States, which seeks adherence to a set of principles in the absence of AI regulatory legislation. Despite the EU’s optimism about the AI Act, critics argue that the proposal has flaws and lacks clarity in its implementation.
Nonetheless, von der Leyen’s announcement reflects the EU’s determination to remain at the forefront of AI development and promote responsible innovation within the trading bloc.
