Europe's AI Imperative -- A Pragmatic Blueprint for Global Tech Leadership

TL;DR

The paper argues that Europe must seize a now-or-never moment in AI by leveraging regulatory leadership, industrial policy, and multi-technology convergence to achieve strategic autonomy. It proposes a pragmatic blueprint centered on a European AI Coordination Council, sector-specific governance sandboxes, and market-driven incentives to scale SMEs, expand GPU-accelerated HPC, and close the semiconductor gap to at least $20\%$. By advancing federated data platforms, global alliances, and responsible-innovation standards, Europe aims to become a global standard-bearer for AI that aligns technological progress with democratic values. The approach emphasizes talent, public trust, and cross-border collaboration to translate research excellence into scalable, market-ready innovations that shape global AI norms.

Abstract

Europe is at a make-or-break moment in the global AI race, squeezed between the massive venture capital and tech giants in the US and China's scale-oriented, top-down drive. At this tipping point, where the convergence of AI with complementary and synergistic technologies, like quantum computing, biotech, VR/AR, 5G/6G, robotics, advanced materials, and high-performance computing, could upend geopolitical balances, Europe needs to rethink its AI-related strategy. On the heels of the AI Action Summit 2025 in Paris, we present a sharp, doable strategy that builds upon Europe's strengths and closes gaps.