Artificial intelligence (AI) is a topic of great debate in Europe, with many drawing parallels to historical situations in aeronautics and GPS technology. In 1970, Europe faced a similar situation in the aviation industry, where Boeing and McDonell Douglas dominated the market. This prompted European governments to create Airbus to compete with the big two. Similarly, in the late 1990s, Europe launched its own global positioning system, Galileo, leading to advancements in geoinformation applications.
Today, Europe faces a technology gap in AI, both in hardware and software development. The most advanced AI models require sophisticated processors not designed or manufactured in Europe. Additionally, replicating the complex AI software poses challenges for European researchers. Data privacy concerns also arise, with large American tech companies utilizing European data for their business models.
To address these challenges, Europe has taken steps to regulate AI and establish initiatives like Chip.act and the establishment of AI factories aim to bridge the gap. However, these efforts alone may not be enough to compete globally in AI. To truly establish a competitive position in the global market, Europe needs to adopt a collaborative and open approach similar to the Airbus and Galileo models.
This means developing European chips that can power advanced AI systems and training local researchers on how to build these systems from scratch. It also means creating a European AI company offering services like GAFAM that can compete with big tech companies like Google and Amazon on their own terms. While this may seem risky at first glance, it is crucial for ensuring technological sovereignty and competitiveness for years to come.
Looking ahead to 2070, building a European AI powerhouse is not only possible but necessary if Europe wants to remain relevant on the global stage. With its resources and regulatory advantage over other countries, there is no reason why Europe cannot lead in ethical AI development if it adopts an open approach towards collaboration and investment.
In conclusion, while there are challenges associated with building an EU-based AI powerhouse from scratch
