EU Unveils Ambitious Plan to Launch Network of ‘AI Factories’ and ‘Gigafactories’

The European Union has unveiled an ambitious "AI Continent Action Plan" aimed at transforming its robust industrial base and skilled workforce into a global powerhouse for artificial intelligence innovation and development.

Announced by the European Commission on April 9, the action plan lays out a roadmap to significantly scale up Europe’s AI capabilities and infrastructure. It comes in response to growing concerns from tech industry stakeholders who argue that stringent regulations risk stifling innovation and placing the EU behind global competitors like the United States and China.

“Achieving our ambitions in AI will require leadership in both the development and application of the technology,” the plan states. Key components of the strategy include major investments in infrastructure—particularly computing power and networks—as well as support for advanced AI model development and widespread adoption across various sectors of the economy.

A central feature of the initiative is the creation of a continent-wide network of "AI factories" and "AI gigafactories." These large-scale facilities will be equipped with powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) necessary for developing and training next-generation AI systems. The EU currently lags behind global rivals in data center capacity, relying heavily on cloud infrastructure located and controlled outside of Europe.

To bridge this gap, the plan also includes establishing AI research centers that will improve access to high-quality training data—especially for startups and small enterprises. Additionally, the European Commission will launch the AI Act Service Desk, a dedicated support body designed to help businesses navigate the EU’s landmark AI regulations and ensure compliance.

“This service desk will act as a one-stop hub for firms seeking guidance, enabling smoother implementation of the AI Act and fostering responsible innovation,” the Commission stated.

The action plan underscores the EU’s determination to close the digital divide, assert technological sovereignty, and lead the world in ethical, responsible AI development.