EU to build seven giant computing centers for AI development

The European Union on 30 July 2026 marked the initial phase of the plan to build seven large computing centers intended for the development and training of advanced artificial intelligence models in Europe. The value of the project is estimated at around c30 billion.

According to the announcement, Brussels plans to raise four smaller centers with capacities between 25,000 and 75,000 chips and three large centers with power from 40,000 to 100,000 chips. The centers should provide computing infrastructure for startups, research teams, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public institutions.

"This is simply the largest public-private partnership providing around c30 billion for investment. Now, why does Europe need this? Because Europe wants to become the first continent of artificial intelligence. These gigafactories will provide the necessary computing power to make that possible, because Europe wants to become the first continent of artificial intelligence, and because we will give our startups, SMEs, researchers and public authorities the necessary infrastructure to build the most advanced models for health, transport and energy, to name just a few examples. All of this also serves our agenda for technological sovereignty, because we want advanced artificial intelligence to develop right here, at home in Europe, by European companies and European researchers in line with European values and fundamental rights," says European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier.

How contractors will be chosen and timelines

Individual companies or consortia will be able to submit their bids to the European Commission. The announcement states that Brussels will select the best offers in early 2027. After the funds are awarded, contractors will have 18 months to build the centers.

The project is conceived as a large public-private partnership that in its financial framework should invest around c30 billion in hardware and infrastructure. Supporters claim that such an investment will give European actors the computing power necessary to develop advanced AI solutions.

But the plan is not without criticism: some analysts point to doubts that there will be sufficient demand in Europe to justify such capacities, while others warn that the project will still depend on the United States, since the most advanced chips are produced by American companies.

Photo: press material from the event