Initiative overview
The AI Continent Action Plan was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 11 February 2025 at the Paris AI Action Summit alongside the InvestAI initiative. It operates around five pillars. Pillar one (computing and data): mobilise EUR 200 billion in AI investment through InvestAI, build five AI gigafactories, expand the 19 AI Factories network through EuroHPC, and develop the European common data spaces. Pillar two (talent and skills): retain AI researchers and engineers in Europe, attract global talent, and build a pipeline of AI-skilled workers at all levels through actions under the Pact for Skills and the Digital Education Action Plan. Pillar three (regulatory environment): ensure the AI Act is implemented in a way that is clear, predictable and minimises unnecessary compliance burdens for innovators, including SMEs; streamline Member State transposition; and develop harmonised standards rapidly. Pillar four (AI adoption): operationalise the Apply AI Strategy across 11 priority sectors; deploy the European Digital Innovation Hubs network for SME support; and establish the Apply AI Alliance to coordinate public-private uptake. Pillar five (sovereignty and outreach): build European leadership in trustworthy AI; strengthen bilateral AI partnerships with the US, UK, Japan, Canada and others; and promote the EU's regulatory model in multilateral forums.
