According to Innovation News Network, the European Commission just launched RAISE – the Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe – at a major summit in Copenhagen. This virtual institute gets €107 million in initial Horizon Europe funding and aims to accelerate scientific discovery using AI. The initiative will provide researchers with priority access to AI ‘Gigafactories’ and high-performance computing while allocating €75 million specifically for training top AI talent. The EU plans to double its annual AI investment to over €3 billion, making this one of Europe’s most ambitious science-tech plays yet.
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The Sovereignty Play
Here’s the thing about RAISE – it’s not just another research program. This is Europe’s answer to being left behind in the AI race. While the US and China have been pouring billions into AI development, Europe has been playing catch-up. Now they’re making their move. The timing is interesting because we’re seeing AI’s real potential in scientific discovery – from protein folding to materials science. Europe’s betting that by pooling resources across countries, they can compete without needing a single tech giant to lead the charge.
Follow the Money
Let’s talk about the business model. RAISE isn’t creating new labs or buildings – it’s a virtual institute. Basically, they’re connecting existing resources across Europe. That’s smart because it means they can scale faster without the overhead. The €107 million pilot is just the start – they’re already planning for the 2028-2034 budget cycle. And that €75 million for talent development? That’s the real strategic move. Europe knows it can’t win without keeping its best researchers from heading to Silicon Valley or Shenzhen.
Who Really Benefits
So who wins here? Universities and research institutions get access to computing power they could never afford individually. Private sector companies working on AI for science might find new partners and talent. But the biggest beneficiary might be Europe’s positioning in the global tech landscape. They’re creating what amounts to a sovereign AI infrastructure specifically for scientific research. That’s a pretty clever way to build tech sovereignty without directly challenging American commercial AI dominance.
The Long Game
Now, the question is whether this virtual model can deliver real breakthroughs. Coordinating across 27 member states isn’t exactly easy. But if they can actually create that connected community they’re talking about, this could become Europe’s answer to how you do big science in the 21st century. The focus on specific challenges like cancer therapies and environmental crises means they’re not just throwing money at AI – they’re targeting it. And with plans to double down on funding, Europe seems serious about making this work long-term.
