Brussels, April 10 (IANS) – The European Commission has introduced the AI Continent Action Plan, a strategic initiative designed to streamline artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and significantly accelerate the development of AI infrastructure within the European Union (EU). This plan is a crucial component of the EU's broader strategy to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.

Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy of the Commission, emphasized the plan's focus on reducing regulatory burdens to foster an environment conducive to innovation. Speaking on Wednesday, Virkkunen stated that the primary goal is to ensure that the implementation of the AI Act is both straightforward and supportive of innovation, thereby encouraging growth and development in the AI sector.

The European Union has consistently promoted its digital regulatory framework as a benchmark for global governance. However, its stringent oversight, particularly in the AI domain, has faced criticism from major technology firms. These firms argue that excessive regulation could stifle innovation and impede industrial expansion, potentially putting the EU at a disadvantage compared to other global players.

The AI Continent Action Plan outlines several key measures to address these concerns and bolster the EU's AI capabilities. A central focus is the development of large-scale AI data and computing infrastructure. This includes improving access to high-quality data, which is essential for training AI models; advancing algorithm development to enhance the performance and capabilities of AI systems; promoting the adoption of AI across various strategic sectors to drive economic growth and efficiency; and enhancing education and training programs to equip the workforce with the necessary AI-related skills.

The Commission's statement highlighted the establishment of 13 AI factories across Europe. Building on this foundation, the EU plans to support the creation of AI Gigafactories, which are envisioned as massive facilities equipped with approximately 100,000 AI chips. These Gigafactories will have four times the capacity of the current AI factories, significantly boosting the EU's AI production capabilities.

In the previous year, the EU launched a call for setting up Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factories to further stimulate the development of AI technology. These AI Factories will be integrated into the network of European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) supercomputers. They will be accessible to a wide range of European users, including startups, industry players, and researchers, providing them with the resources and infrastructure needed to innovate and compete in the global AI market.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EC, stated that AI Factories will play a crucial role in securing the EU's position at the forefront of transformative AI technology. These factories will support AI developers in training their large generative AI models by leveraging EuroHPC supercomputers and providing access to essential data, computing, and storage services.