The European AI Office: Driving innovation with open and trusted data

In June 2024, the European Commission launched the EU AI Office with a clear mission: To support those building Europe’s AI future — with innovation and trust at the core. One year after, the AI Office has grown into a team of more than 100 experts working across AI policy, research and innovation, healthcare, regulation, and international cooperation.  

Structured into six dedicated units — Regulation and compliance, AI Safety, Excellence in AI and robotics, AI for societal good, AI innovation and policy coordination, and AI in health and life sciences — the AI Office is positioning Europe as a global leader in responsible AI development.

The Office is rapidly becoming the EU’s centre of AI expertise, playing a key role in implementing the AI Act - especially for general-purpose AI – fostering the development and use of trustworthy AI across Europe’s economy and society, and strengthening international cooperation.

Innovation in AI depends on a thriving ecosystem -, an environment that encourages experimentation, fosters collaboration, and provides the necessary resources for AI companies to grow.The AI Office, together with public and private actors and the startup community, aims to unlock innovation and help European AI researchers and innovators become global leaders. The Commission invests over EUR 1 billion annually in AI research, development and innovation, working with researchers, companies and innovators to make trustworthy AI a reality and boosting the supply and uptake of AI “Made in Europe”.

This ecosystem also needs access to high-quality data and computing infrastructure, along with skilled talent and sustained investment.

That’s why under the AI Continent Action Plan, coordinated by the AI Office, the Commission has identified 5 key domains for action.

• First, the establishment of 13 AI Factories and the initiative to create up to 5 AI Gigafactories will equip Europe with the necessary computing infrastructure it needs to position itself as a global player.  Private investment in these Gigafactories will be stimulated through InvestAI, a new instrument designed to mobilise €20 billion in funding for their development across the Union.
• Secondly, Europe must ensure seamless access to large volumes of high-quality data. To do this, the Commission will set up Data Labs, bringing together and curating large datasets from diverse sources within AI Factories, helping EU startups, industry, and researchers to train robust and trustworthy AI models and applications. Looking ahead, a comprehensive Data Union Strategy will be launched in 2025 to create a true internal market for data, enabling AI solutions to scale across the EU.
• Third, the AI Continent Action Plan focuses on building AI skills and nurturing talent through the establishment of the AI Skills Academy.
• Fourth, the Action Plan emphasizes reducing regulatory burdens and facilitating the implementation of the AI Act. Finally, the Action Plan also aims to increase AI adoption across the Union. To this end, the forthcoming Apply AI Strategy will seek to increase the uptake and integration of this technology in key sectors of the European economy. 

Open data will be crucial in achieving these goals. By making it easily accessible via data.europa.eu, the Commission supports the development of transparent and high-performing AI systems.

Do you want to explore more about how open data supports responsible AI in Europe? Read our in-depth report. For the latest on the AI Act, see our January update and browse AI-related datasets on our open data portal. Stay informed, get involved, and help shape the future of AI in Europe!

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