EU: Pubic consultation on the “Apply AI strategy”

 

The EU Commission has published a public consultation on the development on its AI strategy.

The Apply AI strategy is grounded in several key policy instruments, including:

• the AI Act, which is the world’s first regulation on artificial intelligence. It provides legal clarity for companies operating within the EU, enabling them to utilize and innovate with AI technologies confidently;
• the two coordinated plans on artificial intelligence, along with the AI Continent Action Plan;
• the Communication on boosting startups and innovation in trustworthy AI, which introduces two key initiatives—AI Factories and GenAI4EU—designed to support the development and deployment of generative AI models and their applications.

This strategy is intended to stimulate new industrial applications of AI and enhance the delivery of a wide range of AI-supported public services. Ultimately, the strategy is directed toward achieving three core objectives:

1. promoting the adoption and integration of AI technologies within the EU’s key strategic industrial sectors;
2. unlocking the full potential of innovation, thereby enabling EU-based companies to emerge as global leaders in artificial intelligence;
3. encouraging the implementation of AI-based solutions in the public sector to significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of services delivered to the public.

The Apply AI strategy will concentrate on strategic verticals—that is, specific sectors—where European expertise can contribute meaningfully to further boosting productivity and enhancing competitiveness. In addition, the strategy addresses the application of AI in the public sector and in scientific research, due to their significant impact on both the efficiency of European industries and on the broader societal benefits they generate.

Several motivations underlie the introduction of this strategy:

The European Union must reinforce its global competitiveness, and artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a critical component of achieving this objective. AI drives gains in productivity by facilitating automation, optimization, and improved decision-making. These enhancements lead to increased efficiency and enable the development of new types of products, services, and business models. Both AI and generative AI (GenAI) hold the potential to produce productivity gains on an unprecedented scale, transforming operational workflows across various industries and sectors. According to the 2023 Report on the State of the Digital Decade, the projected net impact of AI on the EU’s economy could reach EUR 3.4 trillion by 2030. Nevertheless, the EU faces several pressing challenges that necessitate a comprehensive strategic approach to support AI-driven innovation.

• The majority of significant advancements in AI are currently taking place outside of the EU, driven predominantly by major technology companies in other regions that are making considerable investments. If the EU falls behind in AI development capabilities, it risks weakening economic sectors that have historically served as sources of comparative advantage.
• A heavy reliance on foreign technology increases the EU’s exposure to strategic vulnerabilities and may limit its ability to establish its own technological standards and safeguard its foundational values. While the EU has shown a strong commitment to leading the way in trustworthy and high-quality AI—most notably through the adoption of the AI Act—further efforts are essential to reinforce technological sovereignty and boost the Union’s capacity for innovation.
• A significant number of companies within the EU, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized businesses, face difficulties in adopting AI technologies. As of 2024, only 13.5% of EU-based companies had integrated AI into their operations (Eurostat, 2024). Accelerating digital transformation and increasing the adoption of AI across all sectors is vital for enhancing competitiveness and driving economic growth.
• Private investment in AI remains insufficient, and collaboration between larger corporations and smaller technology firms is limited. These weaknesses hinder innovation, slow down the progress of emerging businesses, and limit the development of a vibrant and competitive European technology ecosystem.

The public consultation for the Apply AI strategy is open for feedback until 4 June 2025.