EU launches €1B plan to ramp up use of AI in key industries

[European Commission Headquarters building in Brussels]

The European Commission announced a €1B plan to ramp up the use of AI in key industries.

The European Commission, or EC, said [https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2299] it has set out two strategies: the Apply AI Strategy sets out how to speed up the use of AI in Europe's key industries and the public sector. Meanwhile, the AI in Science Strategy focuses on putting Europe at the forefront of AI-driven research and scientific excellence.

"AI adoption needs to be widespread, and with these strategies, we will help speed up the process. Putting AI first also means putting safety first. We will drive this ‘AI first' mindset across all our key sectors, from robotics to healthcare, energy and automotive," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

The announcement follows the Commission's AI Continent Action Plan unveiled in April, which is aimed at setting a path for Europe to become a global leader in AI, according to the regulator.

The Commission said the Apply AI Strategy aims to drive use of AI across strategic and public sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, mobility, manufacturing, construction, agri-food, defence, communications and culture.

It will also support small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, with their specific needs and help industries integrate AI into their operations, the regulator noted.

The Commission noted that concrete measures include establishing AI-powered advanced screening centers for healthcare and supporting the development of frontier models and agentic AI tailored to sectors such as manufacturing, environment, and pharmaceuticals.

To boost AI adoption and support these measures, the Commission is mobilizing about €1B.

The EC added that in the future, new initiatives in areas such as finance, tourism, and e-commerce could complement these sectors.

To coordinate action, the Commission is launching the Apply AI Alliance, a forum that will bring together industry, the public sector, academia, social partners, and civil society. An AI Observatory will monitor AI trends and evaluate sectorial impacts.

Under the AI in Science Strategy will be RAISE — the Resource for AI Science in Europe, a virtual European institute to pool and coordinate AI resources for developing AI and applying it in science.

Strategic actions will include €58M under the RAISE pilot for Networks of Excellence and Doctoral Networks to train, retain and attract AI and scientific talent.

The EC said €600 million from Horizon Europe to expand access to computational power for science. This investment will secure dedicated access to AI Gigafactories for EU researchers and startups.

The Strategic actions also include doubling Horizon Europe's annual investments in AI to over €3B, including doubling funding for AI in science.

MORE ON TECH STOCKS

* NXP Semiconductors: FSD Hopes With Automotive Cyclicality [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827675-nxp-semiconductors-fsd-hopes-with-automotive-cyclicality]
* NXP Semiconductors: Cyclical Chip Maker At Fair Price [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827664-nxp-semiconductors-cyclical-chip-maker-at-fair-price]
* SAP: Cloud Dreams, Legacy, And AI Nightmares [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4827179-sap-cloud-dreams-legacy-and-ai-nightmares]
* U.S. lawmakers urge broader China chip gear ban; AMAT, LRCX, KLAC in focus [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4502517-us-lawmakers-urge-broader-china-chip-gear-ban-amat-lrcx-klac-in-focus]
* Tobii and STMicroelectronics enter mass production of advanced interior sensing tech for European carmaker [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4501308-tobii-and-stmicroelectronics-enter-mass-production-of-advanced-interior-sensing-tech-for-european-carmaker]