The European Commission has unveiled a package of measures aimed at bolstering European startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) that aligns with European Union (EU) values and regulations.
As part of these initiatives, European startups will benefit from simplified access to dedicated AI supercomputers, facilitating the development of general-purpose AI models and accelerating the adoption of AI technology across various sectors.
These measures follow the agreement reached in December 2023 on the EU AI Act, which is hailed as the world's first comprehensive law addressing powerful AI models like Microsoft-backed ChatGPT and Google's Bard, with a focus on ensuring their reliability and adherence to EU standards.
In September 2023, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, outlined plans to make Europe's supercomputers accessible to innovative AI startups for training trustworthy AI models. Additionally, the Commission launched the Large AI Grand Challenge in November 2023, offering financial support and supercomputing access to AI startups.
The proposed AI Factories, also known as one-stop shops, will support AI startups and researchers in various aspects, including algorithm creation, testing and validation of large-scale AI models, and access to dedicated AI supercomputers.
Furthermore, the Commission intends to establish an AI Office within its structure to oversee the development and coordination of AI policy at the European level and supervise the implementation and enforcement of the forthcoming AI Act.
To further support AI startups and innovation, the EU plans to generate an additional investment of approximately €4 billion until 2027, combining public and private funds.
Collaborating with member states, the Commission has established two European Digital Infrastructure Consortiums (EDICs). The Alliance for Language Technologies (ALT) aims to address the shortage of European language data for AI training and support the development of large language models. The second EDIC, CitiVERSE, will leverage advanced AI tools to develop and enhance Local Digital Twins for Smart Communities, aiding cities in simulating and optimizing processes like traffic and waste management.
These initiatives underscore the EU's commitment to fostering AI innovation while upholding European values and ensuring regulatory compliance within the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
