Europe wants to use less US tech and three times more data center capacity

The European Commission has presented a package of measures and strategies to promote Europe's digital sovereignty and independence. The EC wants, among other things, to develop more cloud and AI technology in Europe. The capacity of European data centers must also triple in the next five to seven years.

The European Commission wants, among other things, to introduce a new Chips Act. This 'Chips Act 2.0' should make the business environment more friendly for chip companies and ensure that the European chip industry becomes less dependent on external suppliers. Under the new law, it would become possible, among other things, to provide state aid to 'pioneering projects that are not yet present in the Union'. The EC also wants cooperation between chip makers and companies that use chips to improve.

The European Commission has also adopted a proposal for the Cloud and AI Development Act. One of the goals of the law is to triple European data center capacity in the next five to seven years. To achieve this, the law forces member states to designate so-called data center acceleration zones. In these zones the permit process may take a maximum of twelve months.

The European Commission also wants governments in particular to make more use of open source software. According to the Commission, access to source code ensures auditability and reduces dependence on a single supplier. "Promoting the use of open source is therefore essential to support innovation, ensure better value for money for public expenditure and strengthen the Union's digital autonomy," the law reads.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the measures, emphasized the importance of digital independence: "We cannot afford to depend on others for the technologies that keep our hospitals running, our energy grids stable and our services safe. It is about protecting our citizens, defending our interests and making our own choices. Europe has the talent, the excellent research results, the industrial base and the internal market. Together we must translate these strengths into technological sovereignty." The plans still need to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU countries.