EU lays out multibillion-euro plan for AI gigafactories
The European Union will finance seven artificial intelligence giant factories in the bloc with 10 billion euros ($A16 billion), the European Commission has said, as the EU steps up efforts to close the technology gap with the US and China.
The commission said it aims to attract private investment of at least 20 billion euros into the projects.
Following intense interest from EU countries, the total number was increased from the planned five gigafactories to seven.
The facilities will combine advanced artificial intelligence processors, software, cloud technology, high-speed connectivity and data centers.
They will build on the existing 19 AI factories in various EU countries.
“As AI developments accelerate, access to raw computing power in AI giant factories is a strategic imperative for Europe,” EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said on Thursday. he said.
Consortia or special purpose vehicles consisting of technology providers, cloud service providers, public institutions and investors can apply to take part in gigafactories.
The tender process will end on November 12.
The Commission expects to announce successful bidders in early 2027, with the facilities to be operational within 18 months of contract signing.
AMD, Nvidia and Qualcomm signed letters of intent with the commission to provide chips to groups involved in gigafactory projects.
