The European Union has launched a bidding process for as many as seven AI gigafactories as it seeks to reduce its dependence on American and Chinese computing infrastructure.
The facilities will combine AI processors, cloud software, high-speed connectivity and data centers capable of training, fine-tuning and running advanced models. The EU and national governments plan to provide as much as €10 billion ($11.5 billion), with officials seeking at least €20 billion ($23.7 billion) in additional private investment.
The factories will supplement 19 smaller AI factories already planned or operating across Europe. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said startups, established companies, academic institutions and public agencies will be able to access the new infrastructure.
The project represents a more interventionist approach than the largely private-sector-driven AI buildout in the U.S. Europe is attempting to develop both the rules governing frontier AI and the domestic infrastructure needed to compete in it.