What EuroHPC AI Factories has achieved is a milestone in European innovation, surpassing goals by establishing at least 15 operational AI Factories and deploying 9 new AI-optimized supercomputers. These dynamic ecosystems bridge AI innovation and trust, fostering collaboration across Europe. They bring together supercomputing centers, universities, SMEs, industry, and financial actors to create cutting-edge AI models. This strategic priority, announced in the 2024 AI Innovation Package, reinforces EU investment in AI development.
Strategic Investments in AI Infrastructure
The EuroHPC initiative is driving substantial investment in AI infrastructure across Europe, aiming to establish a robust and competitive ecosystem. This strategic deployment will significantly expand the EU’s AI computing capacity, prioritizing access for both AI startups and SMEs as they seek to innovate and scale their operations. The program represents a key component of the EU’s broader AI strategy, as outlined in the 2024 AI Innovation Package and reinforced by the AI Continent Action Plan. Access to these facilities, alongside dedicated support services, will be provided through the EuroHPC AI Factories, fostering collaboration and accelerating the development of cutting-edge AI models.
AI Gigafactories will be large-scale facilities focused on developing and training next-generation AI models with trillions of parameters. These facilities will require significant computing power , exceeding 100,000 advanced AI processors , alongside a strong emphasis on reliable supply chains, energy efficiency, and AI-driven automation. Such infrastructure is critical for maintaining European leadership in AI, and will serve as a catalyst for innovation across sectors like health, manufacturing, climate, finance, and space. Current AI Factories include AT: AI (Austria), JAIF (Germany), Meluxina-AI (Luxembourg), and 1HealthAI (Spain), demonstrating early progress in this ambitious undertaking.
The expansion of AI Factories across Europe, bolstered by new supercomputing capacity, promises to reshape innovation ecosystems. This development could enable greater access for AI startups and SMEs, fostering a more competitive landscape and accelerating the development of trustworthy AI models. For industry, research, and academia, these hubs represent a significant opportunity to collaborate and translate advancements into practical applications across sectors like health and manufacturing.
Building on this momentum, public authorities are prioritizing investment to further expand the network through 2026. The implications extend beyond immediate technological gains, potentially driving economic growth and solidifying the EU’s position as a leader in responsible AI development. This pan-European approach ensures wider benefits, moving beyond isolated advancements to create a truly interconnected AI ecosystem.