The European Commission is significantly bolstering Europe’s technological sovereignty with a €1.3 billion investment through the Digital Europe Programme for 2025-2027. This substantial funding targets artificial intelligence deployment, cybersecurity enhancement, and digital skills development—strategic priorities that reflect Europe’s determination to compete globally in critical technologies while maintaining its distinct regulatory approach and values.
The big picture: The European Commission has approved a €1.3 billion investment package focused on strategic digital technologies considered vital for Europe’s tech sovereignty and future competitiveness.
- The funding will be distributed through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work programme covering 2025 to 2027.
- This investment represents a significant commitment to strengthening Europe’s position in the global technology landscape.
Key focus areas: The investment prioritizes artificial intelligence deployment, cloud infrastructure, data capabilities, cybersecurity, and digital skills development.
- The programme emphasizes practical AI implementation across businesses and public administration rather than just research.
- Cyber resilience has been highlighted as a critical component, reflecting growing security concerns across the digital ecosystem.
Implementation timeline: The Commission plans to begin releasing funding opportunities for these initiatives starting in April 2025.
- Additional calls for proposals will continue to be published throughout the remainder of the year.
- Interested organizations can monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for information on open calls as they become available.
Eligibility criteria: The funding opportunities are accessible to a wide range of European stakeholders seeking to advance digital initiatives.
- Businesses, public administrations, and other entities from EU Member States are eligible to apply for funding.
- Organizations from EFTA/EEA countries and nations associated with the DIGITAL programme can also participate.
Strategic context: This funding package aligns with broader European digital strategy documents including the 2030 Digital Compass and Path to the Digital Decade policy programme.
- These initiatives collectively outline Europe’s approach to digital transformation while maintaining European values and standards.
- The investment reinforces the EU’s commitment to technological advancement while preserving its regulatory sovereignty.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...