In a significant milestone for the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, the European Union Council has reached a landmark agreement to expand the role of EuroHPC's supercomputing capabilities. The amendment, announced on May 24, aims to develop and operate local AI factories, providing additional infrastructure for AI supercomputing services and supporting the growth of Europe's AI ecosystem and startups.

The proposal builds on the foundational work of EuroHPC, established in 2018 to lead European supercomputing initiatives. Currently, EuroHPC manages nine supercomputers across Europe, which have been developed since the initiative's onset. The new AI factories proposed by the amendment will further this mission, providing a significant boost to Europe's AI capabilities.

The agreement prioritizes access for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises, recognizing the critical role they play in driving innovation and economic growth. The Council calls for the EuroHPC Governing Board to establish special access conditions for these AI supercomputers, ensuring that these entities can harness the power of AI to drive their development and competitiveness.

In addition, the new regulation will provide hosting entities with up to 50% of the acquisition and operational costs of AI supercomputers from the Union. This financial support will help reduce the barriers to entry for organizations seeking to leverage AI, enabling them to focus on developing innovative solutions and driving economic growth.

Ownership of these machines can be transferred to the hosting entities five years post-acceptance testing, providing a long-term investment in Europe's AI infrastructure. The AI supercomputers will primarily focus on developing, testing, evaluating, and validating large-scale AI training models and emerging AI applications, thus advancing AI solutions within the Union.

The Commission's proposal, which initiated this amendment, is part of a broader AI initiative announced by the EU's president, Ursula von der Leyen. This strategic move aims to enhance Europe's AI capabilities, recognizing the critical role AI will play in shaping the future of industries and societies.

The EU has been at the forefront of developing AI policies to be implemented across the region. In March 2024, the EU passed its landmark AI Act, the world's first set of comprehensive AI regulations aimed at safe and ethical AI development in the region. This agreement marks another significant step in this journey, demonstrating the EU's commitment to harnessing the power of AI for the betterment of society.

The proposed regulation will undergo legal review before being published in the Official Journal of the European Union, taking effect twenty days post-publication. As the EU continues to drive innovation and economic growth through AI, this agreement marks an exciting development for the region's AI ecosystem, startups, and industries alike.