A report based on discussions among more than 100 experts calls for the EU to build more computing capacity, secure access to leading models and strengthen its ability to monitor and respond to AI developments.

Key Takeaways

• The next one to two years could determine whether Europe prevents its reliance on non-European AI providers from becoming structural.
• The report estimates that the EU hosts about 5% of global AI computing capacity, compared with its 15% share of global economic output. European developers also remain far behind leading non-European companies in revenue and investment.
• The experts called for a combined response: build more AI capacity within Europe, secure reliable access to advanced models developed elsewhere and give EU institutions more expertise and coordination capacity.

The European Commission AI Office published a report warning that foreign AI dependence could leave Europe increasingly reliant on non-European providers and weaken its ability to make independent decisions about the technology.

The report summarizes an April meeting of the European Expert Forum on Frontier AI, which brought together more than 100 people from AI companies, industry, investment firms, research groups, universities and policy organizations.

Foreign AI dependence could become structural

The experts said the most capable AI models primarily come from the United States, followed by China. Only a small number of European developers are actively trying to build systems at the same level.

Europe’s commercial position also trails its economic size. The report estimates that European frontier AI developers generate annual revenue equal to about 1% of their leading non-European competitors. European AI companies receive about 6% of global venture funding, and the experts identified investment for growing companies as the main financial constraint.

The gap extends to the large computing systems needed to build and run advanced AI models. The EU currently hosts an estimated 5% of global AI computing capacity, although it accounts for about 15% of the global economy. The experts said Europe should work toward a 15% share of global AI computing capacity.

The report warns that failing to act could make Europe structurally dependent on non-European models and providers. European companies would have no guarantee of continued access to the most capable AI systems. Providers could prioritize their home markets when computing capacity is scarce, while foreign governments could restrict access for geopolitical or security reasons.

Experts call for a combined response

Experts disagreed on two related questions: whether Europe should compete directly with the United States and China to develop the world’s most advanced AI models, and how much of the necessary AI technology (e.g., AI models, compute) Europe should control itself rather than obtain from trusted foreign providers.

First, the experts recommended increasing computing capacity and the electricity needed to power it. They also called for more investment in growing AI companies, clearer copyright and data protection rules for training models, and better efforts to keep AI researchers and engineers in Europe.

Second, they recommended agreements that would give Europe reliable access to leading models, including for security-related uses. They proposed working with countries facing similar constraints, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and South Korea. Acting together could give those countries more influence when negotiating with AI providers and their home governments.

Third, the experts called for the EU to improve its ability to monitor new AI capabilities and risks, share information across institutions and respond to emergencies. They recommended centralized political oversight and more technical expertise inside public bodies.

The expert forum is part of the European Frontier AI Initiative, which the Commission launched in November 2025 to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, independence and security in advanced AI. The AI Office said it will rank the recommendations by priority, seek further written input and hold targeted workshops. It will also publish updates about the initiative and any actions resulting from the recommendations.

The report represents the experts’ discussions and does not state an official European Commission position as yet.