European Union: Submitted Commission’s proposal for a council regulation as regards an EuroHPC initiative for start-ups to boost European leadership in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence

On 26 January 2024, the European Commission introduced a proposal for a council regulation as regards an European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) initiative for start-ups to boost European leadership in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. The Council Regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 to extend the mandate of the EuroHPC. This expansion introduces an initiative to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into EuroHPC facilities. Known as AI Factories, these facilities will house AI-dedicated supercomputers linked with extensive data centres or high-speed networks. The goal is to enhance these supercomputers' capabilities through regular AI upgrades, providing specialised computing services to support large-scale AI training, model development, and the deployment of ethical AI systems across Europe. The amended regulation aims to cultivate a competitive and innovative AI start-up ecosystem within the EU. It seeks to leverage EuroHPC's supercomputing infrastructure to advance AI solutions in critical sectors such as health, climate change, robotics, and automated driving. By facilitating access to cutting-edge computing resources and promoting collaboration with other EU AI initiatives, the regulation aims to strengthen Europe's technological autonomy and competitiveness in AI innovation.