The European Union is seeking to transform its economy through artificial intelligence while reducing its dependence on foreign technology providers, according to Henna Virkkunen, who outlined the bloc’s ambitions during a debate in the European Parliament on digital sovereignty.
Addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Virkkunen said the European Commission’s goal is to create a more resilient economy, strengthen supply chains and reinforce Europe’s technological sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected digital world. She argued that the EU must reach a position where it can make independent decisions in an environment where technology and politics are becoming ever more closely linked. According to the commissioner, the emergence of increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models has created new cybersecurity challenges, making it essential for European legislation to safeguard the bloc’s digital sovereignty.
Virkkunen also stressed the importance of ensuring technological sovereignty within the public sector. She called for clear criteria governing cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to strengthen the EU’s cybersecurity and resilience while preventing European businesses and public institutions from becoming overly dependent on major global technology companies. ‘Technological sovereignty does not mean isolation or protectionism,’ she said. ‘It means a stronger, less vulnerable and more resilient European Union.’ To achieve these goals, the commissioner said the EU would require investments of approximately €450 billion over the next decade.
During the debate, Ernő Schaller-Baross of Hungary’s Fidesz party said strengthening digital sovereignty, developing infrastructure and creating jobs were important and widely supported objectives. However, he argued that Europe’s digital competitiveness would depend not only on major investments but also on its ability to create a regulatory environment that encourages innovation, supports businesses and allows technological development to flourish. Schaller-Baross also questioned whether the EU’s growing spending on technology projects was appropriately balanced against funding pressures affecting cohesion policy, rural development programmes and agricultural support.
Fellow Fidesz MEP András László said Europe remained significantly behind the United States and China in innovation and digital sovereignty. He pointed to a shortage of software and hardware engineers, limited semiconductor manufacturing capacity, high energy prices that discourage data centre investments and what he described as excessive regulation.
Dóra Dávid of the Tisza Party said technology has become a defining element of everyday life rather than simply a collection of tools and devices. She warned that dependence on chips, software and cloud services controlled outside Europe could potentially be used against European interests. Dávid argued that Europe must possess alternatives throughout the entire technology value chain to ensure that citizens, businesses and public services retain reliable access to essential digital services.
András László added that Europe often imitates technological innovations developed elsewhere rather than leading them. He argued that genuine digital sovereignty requires becoming an innovation leader rather than a follower.
Meanwhile, Zsuzsanna Borvendég of Hungary’s Our Homeland (Mi Hazánk) party criticized the EU’s position in the global technology market, claiming that Europe remains heavily dependent on large international technology companies. She argued that migration policies, support for Ukraine and the costs associated with the green transition have reduced the financial resources available for technological development while contributing to higher energy prices. Borvendég also called for stricter enforcement of EU regulations against major technology firms, arguing that digital sovereignty should begin with ensuring that large technology companies comply with European laws.
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