The European Commission has unveiled two new strategies to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Europe’s industries and research sectors
The Apply AI Strategy and the AI in Science Strategy are designed to quicken AI adoption, helping Europe become a global leader in trustworthy and innovative AI applications.
AI and industry and public service
The Apply AI Strategy aims to achieve widespread integration of AI across key sectors, including healthcare, energy, mobility, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, defence, and communication. It also aims to support public services and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and drive innovation.
The Apply AI Strategy will mobilise €1 billion to fund initiatives like AI-powered screening centres in healthcare and the development of sector-specific AI models for areas including pharmaceuticals and environmental monitoring. The plan also fosters a culture of “AI-first” thinking, where companies view AI as a primary solution for addressing operational challenges.
To support this transformation, the EU will upgrade its European Digital Innovation Hubs into Experience Centres for AI, offering companies access to advanced AI tools, data, and infrastructure.
A new Apply AI Alliance will also bring together industry leaders, academia, the public sector, and civil society to coordinate efforts. An AI Observatory will track emerging trends and assess the impact of AI across different sectors.
AI for scientific breakthroughs
Alongside industrial adoption, the AI in Science Strategy focuses on positioning Europe at the forefront of AI-driven scientific research. A significant part of this is RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe), a new virtual institute designed to coordinate AI resources and foster research collaboration across the continent.
Key goals of the strategy include attracting global scientific talent, enhancing access to computing power, and boosting investment in AI research. The EU has earmarked €600 million from Horizon Europe to give researchers and startups access to high-performance computing through AI Gigafactories.
The strategy also aims to double AI-related research funding under Horizon Europe to over €3 billion annually. A significant portion of this funding will support training programs, including Networks of Excellence and Doctoral Networks, to cultivate a strong pipeline of AI researchers and scientists.
AI leadership
Both strategies are part of the EU’s AI Continent Action Plan, launched in April 2025, which looks to make Europe a global centre for safe, trustworthy, and cutting-edge AI. The Commission’s Joint Research Centre will support implementation with in-depth studies and assessments on the role of AI in science and industry.
Looking ahead, the Commission plans to release a Data Union Strategy later this month to enhance access to high-quality data, a vital resource for AI development. In November, the upcoming AI in Science Summit in Copenhagen will mark the official launch of several initiatives under the new strategies.
