Europe is taking a bold leap into the future of artificial intelligence. The European Commission revealed today that it has received 76 formal bids from tech firms and infrastructure companies vying to build AI “gigafactories” across 16 member states.

These facilities are envisioned as large-scale data hubs that house next-gen computing chips and storage centers critical for AI development.

This initiative is part of a €20 billion public-private investment to ensure that the European Union doesn’t fall behind in the AI arms race currently dominated by the U.S. and China.

With ChatGPT-style models, generative AI, and industrial AI applications booming, Europe is determined to build sovereign capability especially amid global chip supply uncertainties.

Each gigafactory will function as a national AI command center, providing infrastructure support for startups, researchers, and public projects.

The EU plans to strategically distribute these centers to promote geographic balance and cross-border collaboration. Countries like Germany, France, Poland, and Spain are expected to host some of the largest facilities.

“We’ve seen tremendous interest from both tech and energy sectors,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s Competition Commissioner and digital lead.

“This proves Europe is ready to build AI ecosystems that are secure, sustainable, and scalable.” She emphasized that these data hubs will also focus on green computing and ethical AI frameworks core values of EU digital policy.

As the global race for AI dominance intensifies, this development signals that Europe is not content to be a spectator. By making infrastructure a priority, the EU aims to empower its innovators and protect its digital sovereignty in the years to come.