The European Commission has announced a 1-billion-euro ($1.1 billion) initiative to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in critical industries, part of a broader effort to reduce Europe’s reliance on U.S. and Chinese technologies.
The new Apply AI strategy follows an April action plan aimed at easing regulatory and cost burdens for startups struggling to comply with Europe’s AI rules, which came into effect in August last year. The move reflects the EU’s push for strategic autonomy in key sectors amid trade tensions with the United States and China and the dominance of U.S. Big Tech.
“I want the future of AI to be made in Europe,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “AI adoption needs to be widespread, and with these strategies, we will help speed up the process. We will drive this ‘AI first’ mindset across all our key sectors, from robotics to healthcare, energy and automotive.”
The Commission identified healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, mobility, manufacturing, construction, agri-food, defence, communications and culture as priority sectors for AI deployment.
Sector-specific measures under the Apply AI strategy include setting up AI-powered advanced screening centres in healthcare and developing agentic AI applications in manufacturing, climate, and pharmaceutical industries.
The 1 billion euros will be sourced from EU research programmes such as Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe programme, with the possibility of encouraging member states and the private sector to provide matching funds. The initiative is designed to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of AI innovation while fostering homegrown technologies across its key industrial sectors.
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