Applying AI in EU’s strategic sectors requires computing infrastructures, data and skills
CSC welcomes the Apply AI Strategy, which will serve as a blueprint for the adoption of AI in EU strategic sectors and supports the Commission’s ambition to make Europe an ‘AI continent’. Given AI’s transformative potential across all sectors of society and the economy – and in light of the current geopolitical context – Europe must strengthen its competitiveness, technological sovereignty and security by developing AI capacities, accelerating the uptake of AI technologies across industries and public services, and empowering European companies to become global front-runners in responsible and innovative AI.
Europe is already well on its way when it comes to developing the computing infrastructure that the AI Continent vision requires, thanks to the EuroHPC resources, especially the AI Factories, which are expected to significantly boost the application and development of AI. Europe must keep pooling its resources in the framework of EuroHPC and continue joint investments in European world-class instruments for AI, including supercomputers, data platforms, an open web index and networks as well as other related critical technologies including quantum computers and semiconductors. It is essential to ensure that all the shared European infrastructures work as an interoperable ecosystem where the critical parts of the technology value chain are included. The investments in European HPC create tangible impact, which is demonstrated e.g. in a SROI study conducted by an independent research agency, which shows that one euro invested in HPC services brings back 27-30 euros direct economic impact to the society.
Data is a critical raw material for value creation but also a key factor in reducing Europe’s dependencies and thus it makes a significant difference in both competitiveness of European industry and innovation, as well as security. Europe’s burning challenge and must-win battle is to ensure that value from European data is created for Europe, fully leveraging Europe’s own data assets – ensuring their ownership and security, and that the value they generate benefits first and foremost European businesses, researchers and institutions, laying the grounds for European companies to grow in creating digital solutions and services and boosting European data economy. Efforts in federating existing data infrastructures, such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), the common European data spaces, the Open Web Search initiative, and the upcoming AI Factory Data Labs, should be scaled up hand in hand with investments in AI capabilities, in order to reap the benefits of data. The Open Web Search – i.e. an open European web index, should be turned into a permanent function that directs data for European use, creating an impact that has already been identified in a market potentia study, in which the market potential is anticipated to reach up to 4,5bn€ after ten years.
Harnessing the full potential of AI requires coordinated efforts, spanning research, the public sector and the full spectrum of industry – from large enterprises to SMEs and start-ups. A clear example is healthcare, where AI can revolutionise diagnosis and treatment, but it demands collaboration between actors like computer scientists, medical professionals, and policy experts to ensure effective and ethical solutions. The AI Factories will be key enablers for cross-sector learning and innovation and for strengthening the pathways from AI research to application. Given the deep interconnections between AI adoption in industry and public sector, and its application in science and research, the Apply AI Strategy must be closely aligned with the parallel AI for Science strategy – including joint incentives to foster public-private partnerships. Without such coherence, there is a risk of fragmentation that could slow both scientific progress and industrial competitiveness.
Ultimately, the success of Europe’s AI ambitions relies on the ability of people – their skills, creativity, and understanding of AI. Strategic investments in EU-level initiatives like the AI Skills Academies and joint study programmes in AI and data are essential. At the same time, it is critical to create understanding about technology as a horizontal skillset that is needed in all domains. To build a solid competence base across the society, the possibilities, risks, applications and implications of technology in different fields of research, business and governance need to be considered. The Apply AI Strategy should be in line with the Union of Skills Strategy to ensure an integrated approach to competence development. Building a solid competence development system will not only foster responsible and effective AI adoption, but also position Europe as a destination for global talent. State-of-the-art infrastructures such as the AI Factories must be systematically used as means for developing skills, accumulating competences and attract and retain talent.
Finally, the Apply AI Strategy must be closely aligned with Europe’s broader sustainability goals. The clean transition should be a priority in developing the European technology landscape, with the EU actively encouraging energy- and cost-efficient solutions. The clean transition must be seen as a strength and a business opportunity for European companies, along with contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Irina Kupiainen
Irina Kupiainen is responsible for CSC’s Public Affairs.