AI Continent Action Plan

In 2025, the European Union presented the “AI Continent” Action Plan, a strategic milestone aimed at consolidating Europe’s leadership in the development and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This plan continues the European AI Strategy, translating its vision into concrete and mobilising measures for all Member States.

The main ambition of the Action Plan is to position Europe as a true continent of excellence in AI, ensuring its digital sovereignty and reinforcing the competitiveness of its economies. To achieve this, it proposes a coordinated approach that harnesses the Union’s resources in key areas such as digital infrastructures, data access, specialised talent, and AI applications in strategic domains.

A priority is the strengthening of next-generation computational infrastructures, essential to accelerate the development and large-scale experimentation of AI technologies. In this context, the plan promotes the expansion of the High-Performance Data Centres Network (HPC), interoperability between AI platforms, and the creation of “AI Factories” – specialised environments for the design, training, and testing of AI models under safe and controlled conditions.

The creation of an effective and secure European data market is another pillar of the plan. Recognising that data is the main fuel for AI, the European Commission proposes measures to facilitate access to high-quality datasets, with a particular focus on industrial, scientific, and public data, while simultaneously safeguarding privacy and fundamental rights. These measures are articulated with the European regulatory framework on data, such as the Data Governance Act and the Data Act.

The “AI Continent” Plan also gives special attention to citizen and workforce empowerment, promoting investment in advanced digital skills and the inclusion of AI-related content in education and vocational training systems. This investment in talent seeks not only to respond to the growing demand for specialised profiles but also to ensure that the digital transition takes place in an equitable and inclusive way across Europe.

From an economic perspective, the European Commission has set the objective of mobilising €200 billion in public and private investment by 2030, through the InvestAI initiative. Developed in articulation with InvestEU and other European funds, this instrument is designed to financially support innovative AI-based projects, stimulate the growth of start-ups, and promote the adoption of technology in sectors with high added value.

The plan also highlights priority sectors for AI adoption, such as healthcare, industry, energy, science, and Public Administration. In these areas, the Commission proposes specific actions to accelerate the use of AI-based solutions that improve services, optimise resources, and reinforce sustainability.