The European Union wants to become less dependent on others in key digital technologies. To that end, the European Commission has presented a new package for technological sovereignty. It includes 2 legislative proposals, the «Chips Act 2.0» and a law on cloud and AI development. These are accompanied by an open-source strategy and a roadmap for digitalization and artificial intelligence in the energy sector.
The political ambition is high. Europe no longer wants to be dependent on others in crucial technology fields when it comes to hospitals, energy grids, security services, critical infrastructure, data and industrial competitiveness. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has explicitly framed the issue as one of being able to make independent decisions and defend European interests.
Chips Act 2.0 Is Intended to Strengthen Europe’s Semiconductor Base
One central element is the planned «Chips Act 2.0». It is intended to expand Europe’s capacity in advanced semiconductor technologies, especially for applications in artificial intelligence. Approval procedures are to be accelerated, strategic projects supported and European semiconductor regions strengthened with a new excellence label.
The EU does not merely want to support individual factories, but to create a denser ecosystem. Chipmakers are to be linked more closely with their customers, including data centers, cloud providers and planned AI gigafactories. This is crucial because chips are no longer just components, but the foundation of almost all digital technologies of the future.
The initiative also shows how strongly Europe’s industrial policy is now shaped by geopolitical precaution. Supply bottlenecks, dependencies on Asia and the global race for high-performance chips have made clear that semiconductor production is no longer just a market issue.
Cloud and AI Become an Infrastructure Issue
The second major legislative proposal concerns cloud and AI. With the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Commission wants to create better conditions for building modern, sustainable data centers in Europe. At the same time, a unified EU framework for assessing cloud and AI sovereignty is to be created.
The goal is clear: sensitive data and critical applications should be better protected without completely closing off the European market. The EU wants to remain open to like-minded partners, but set its own standards where dependencies become security-relevant.
The connection with AI is particularly important. Powerful AI requires enormous computing capacity, data infrastructure and energy. Those who do not control these foundations themselves remain dependent on others in the next technological wave. That is exactly what Brussels wants to prevent.
Open Source Becomes a Sovereignty Strategy
The new open-source strategy is also notable. The Commission no longer treats open source merely as a developer or niche topic, but as a building block of digital autonomy. Open-source alternatives are to be expanded in areas such as cloud, AI, internet technologies, cybersecurity and semiconductors.
That makes strategic sense. Open software can reduce dependence on individual corporations, strengthen interoperability and make public administrations more independent. Especially in sensitive areas, it can be an advantage if systems are verifiable, adaptable and not fully tied to proprietary providers.
The Commission therefore also wants to promote the use of open source in public administrations, including through procurement guidelines and best practices. This brings a topic to the forefront that is often more decisive for digital sovereignty than big headlines about new data centers.
The Energy Sector Is Becoming More Digital – and Energy-Hungry Digitalization Must Become Greener
Another part of the package concerns digitalization and the use of AI in Europe’s energy system. The Commission wants to use digital solutions to make power grids smarter, facilitate cross-border exchange of energy data and accelerate the rollout of smart meters.
At the same time, digital infrastructure itself is meant to become more sustainable. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and, in some cases, water. If Europe massively expands its own cloud and AI capacities, this infrastructure must be integrated into the energy system without undermining climate and resource targets.
This is one of the major tensions in the package. Europe wants more digital autonomy, more AI and more computing power. At the same time, it wants to meet its climate targets. The Commission is trying to think both together: digital sovereignty and the green transition.
Europe Wants to Be More Than a Regulator
The initiative is also interesting because the EU is often perceived primarily as a regulator. With the AI Act, data protection rules and digital legislation, Brussels has set many standards. But regulation alone does not create industrial strength.
The new package attempts to close that gap. It is not only about formulating rules for AI, data or platforms. It is about building Europe’s own capacities: chips, data centers, cloud offerings, open-source infrastructure and AI applications in strategic sectors.
That is an important shift in perspective. Europe cannot achieve digital sovereignty through laws alone. It needs companies, investment, energy, skilled workers and functioning markets.
Financing Will Be the Decisive Point
What remains open is how ambitiously the plans will actually be financed. The Commission wants to consult with member states, the European Investment Bank and other actors on greater European equity capacity. This is intended to financially support the goals in technological sovereignty.
This is where it will be decided whether the package becomes more than a strategic wish list. The US and China are investing massively in chips, AI, cloud and digital infrastructure. If Europe wants to keep up, roadmaps and labels will not be enough. It needs capital on a scale that can match global competitors.
The Commission also plans to launch a call for AI gigafactories in July. This could become an important test of whether Europe can actually turn its claim to its own AI infrastructure into industrial reality.
SK
