According to Andrus Ansip, the European Commission’s (EC) Vice President for the Digital Single Market, “We need to invest at least €20 billion in Artificial Intelligence by the end of 2020.”
To that end the EU has unveiled a €1.5 billion boost to AI R&D spending.
The move appears to recognise the fact that the EU looks to be falling behind when it comes to AI and is playing ‘catch-up’ with the likes of the US and China.
The EC has announced plans for a three-pronged approach to AI, spanning not only increased public and private investment but better preparation for the socio-economic changes it will bring, and the development of an “appropriate” ethical and legal framework.
The Commission says that it is playing its part in helping researchers to develop the next generation of AI technologies and applications and is encouraging companies to embrace and incorporate them.
Europe is facing a brain drain. US companies are offering students six figure salaries to come and work for them, which means that in some universities a whole generation of talent has vanished.
The Commission has said it will support business-education partnerships to attract and keep more AI talent in Europe, set up dedicated training schemes with financial support from the European Social Fund, and support digital skills, competencies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship and creativity.
Plans are also in development for a continent-wide AI roadmap that will look to focus on supporting the development of AI across all major sectors from transport to healthcare, as well as connecting and strengthening AI centres across Europe.
These plans are welcome. The EC’s focus on bringing industry, government and academic expertise together is essential especially if Europe is to have any hope of retaining a leading presence in this field, not only delivering innovative technologies but in shaping how the industry develops in the coming years.
