BRUSSELS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a European "technological sovereignty" package aimed at strengthening capacities in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing and open source, as part of efforts to boost Europe's digital autonomy and resilience.
In a press release, the Commission said the package includes two legislative proposals, the Cloud and AI Development Act and the Chips Act 2.0, as well as an Open Source Strategy and a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector. The legislative proposals will be examined and negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before they can be adopted and enter into force.
The Commission said the package would help widen the choice of core technologies available to EU businesses, citizens and public administrations.
The Cloud and AI Development Act aims to triple Europe's data center capacity over the next five to seven years and strengthen the role of the Apply AI strategy to boost adoption. The Chips Act 2.0 will build on Europe's strengths in areas such as mainstream chips, while developing capacity in cutting-edge semiconductor technologies to power AI applications.
The Open Source Strategy will promote open source alternatives in priority areas including cloud, AI, internet technologies, cybersecurity and semiconductors, and support wider use of open source in public administrations. The Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector will promote the use of AI and other digital solutions in electricity infrastructure.
Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy of the Commission, said in the press release that the package marked a major shift in Europe's approach to technological sovereignty.
However, the package has drawn controversy from the industry. On provisions related to the Chips Act 2.0, DIGITALEUROPE, a European digital industry association, said the semiconductor value chain is global, and that there is no such thing as a "European chip." It warned that local content requirements are unworkable because they would fragment supply chains and undermine EU competitiveness, including that of downstream industries. ■
