AI Continent Action Plan delivers major milestones
One year on, the European Commission’s AI Continent Action Plan is delivering on its goal to transform Europe’s strong traditional industries and exceptional talent pool into engines of AI innovation and acceleration. Progress is visible across all five pillars: infrastructure, data, talent, adoption and trustworthy AI.
The EU has significantly boosted its computational infrastructure. It now has 19 AI factories deployed across its world-leading supercomputers, with 13 AI Factory antennas providing regional access and AI Gigafactories coming soon. This gives more researchers and start-ups the capacity they need to build AI models.
On the data front, the Commission launched the Data Union Strategy to unlock the potential of data access and sharing across the continent. The AI Omnibus, introduced alongside it, aims to support competitiveness by giving businesses legal certainty and cutting compliance costs through simplified rules.
The talent pillar is equally important. A key initiative came in February with the launch of an EU-India legal gateway office to facilitate talent movement in the ICT sector. Work is progressing on the AI Skills Academy to develop specialised programmes in generative AI and advanced computing technologies.
Supporting the adoption pillar, the Apply AI Strategy drives AI uptake across industrial and public sectors, with €1 billion in funding calls already earmarked. These are accompanied by targeted initiatives such as the European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres and a frontier AI grand challenge.
Building an AI continent continues. The Commission remains committed to supporting AI innovation while ensuring AI in Europe is trustworthy, secure and aligned with democratic values. The European AI Innovation month from 14 October to 17 November 2026 will showcase Europe’s progress.
