Europe unveils plan to become 'AI continent' with simpler rules, more infrastructure
The EU has faced criticisms that its rules on everything from AI to taxation hinder innovation and make it harder for startups to operate across the region.
The European Union on Wednesday presented a plan to boost its artificial intelligence industry and help it compete more aggressively with the U.S. and China, following criticisms from technology firms that its regulations are too cumbersome.
In a press release, the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, outlined its so-called "AI Continent Action Plan," which aims to "transform Europe's strong traditional industries and its exceptional talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration."
Among the ways Europe plans to bolster regional AI developments are a commitment to build a network of AI factories and "gigafactories" and create specialized labs designed to improve the access of startups to high-quality training data.
The EU defines these "factories" as large facilities that house state-of-the-art chips needed to train and develop the most advanced AI models.
The bloc will also create a new AI Act Service Desk to help regional firms comply with its landmark AI law.