Brussels,

THE NEW FRONTIERS

Artificial intelligence (AI)
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to systems able to perceive, understand, reason, and generate content. In Europe, the priority is to develop trustworthy, safe, and human-centric AI, enhancing competitiveness and innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights, product safety, and privacy.
Applications already cover healthcare, mobility, finance, public administration, education, and manufacturing.

Key subfields include machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Alongside opportunities, challenges remain: bias and non-discrimination, transparency and explainability, cybersecurity, data protection, liability, and the impact on jobs. The EU framework now combines a horizontal rulebook (AI Act), dedicated governance bodies, and modernised liability rules.

Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence

The Coordinated Plan on AI (updated in 2021) sets out joint actions between the European Commission and the Member States. It aims to:

• increase and align investments,
• avoid market fragmentation,
• support SMEs and start-ups,
• promote sandboxes and cross-border cooperation,
• integrate AI into Europe’s twin transition (digital and green).

It lays the foundation for ecosystems of excellence and trust, with interoperable standards and common approaches across the EU.

Read the Plan

EU Artificial Intelligence Act

In July 2024, the EU adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), the world’s first horizontal law on AI.
It entered into force on 1 August 2024, with obligations phased in until 2 August 2026 (earlier for bans and transparency duties).

The Act introduces a risk-based approach:

• Unacceptable-risk systems (e.g. manipulative or exploitative AI, certain social scoring) are prohibited.
• High-risk AI systems face strict obligations: risk management, high-quality datasets, technical documentation, human oversight, conformity assessment, and post-market monitoring.
• Limited-risk systems must respect transparency obligations (e.g. disclosure of AI-generated content).
• Minimal-risk systems face no new requirements beyond existing law.
  
  

EUROPEAN A.I. ACT REGULATION

AI Liability

In 2024 the EU also updated its liability framework. The Product Liability Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/2853) now explicitly covers software, AI systems, and digital files. It recognises post-sale software updates and machine learning changes as part of the product lifecycle, and introduces presumptions of defect or causation in defined cases to make redress more effective.

This modernised framework ensures that injured parties can seek compensation where AI-enabled products cause harm, while providing businesses with legal certainty across the Single Market.

A.I. LIABILITY

AI Office and European AI Board

To ensure coherent implementation, the EU created two new bodies:

• European AI Office (within the Commission, DG CONNECT): develops guidance, supports codes of practice, oversees General Purpose AI (GPAI), and coordinates enforcement at EU level.
• European Artificial Intelligence Board: composed of national authorities, it ensures consistent application of the AI Act across Member States and supports cross-border cooperation.

Together, these structures aim to guarantee a level playing field and effective enforcement across the EU.

A.I. OFFICE & THE BOARD

European Artificial Intelligence Alliance

The European AI Alliance is an initiative by the European Commission to establish an open policy dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Launched in 2018, the AI Alliance has engaged around 6,000 stakeholders through regular events, public consultations, and online forum exchanges.

European Artificial Intelligence Alliance

EU Funding for AI

• HORIZON EUROPE
  
• ​DIGITAL EUROPE PROGRAMME
• ERDF & COHESION FUND
  
• InvestEU PROGRAMME
  
• RECOVERY & RESILIENCE FACILITY
  

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Horizon Europe

Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space

The financing on Artificial Intelligence is inscribed in Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe Framework programme 2021-2027.
​​The overarching vision behind the investments under Cluster 4 is that of Europe shaping competitive and trusted technologies for a European industry with global leadership in key areas, enabling production and consumption to respect the boundaries of our planet, and maximising the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe.
This contributes to a competitive, digital, low-carbon and circular industry, ensures sustainable supply of raw materials, develops advanced materials and provides the basis for advances and innovation in  global challenges to society.

Go to Horizon Europe Cluster 4 for details and EU Funding & Tenders

Digital Europe programme

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is a EU funding programme focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, citizens and public administrations.

The Digital Europe Programme, with a budget of €7.5 billion , and € 2;5 billion for A.I (2021-2027) (of which €1.3 billion for 2023-2024, aims to address challenges in supercomputing, AI, cybersecurity, digital skills, and the adoption of digital technologies. The program aims to accelerate economic recovery and drive digital transformation across Europe, with a particular focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The funding will complement other EU programs, including the Horizon Europe program for research and innovation, the Connecting Europe Facility for digital infrastructure, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Digital Europe Programme is part of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and will work in conjunction with other initiatives to support the development of a digital Europe.

Go to Digital Europe Programme for details and EU Funding & Tenders

ERDF & Cohesion Fund

Managed by Member States, these Funds support regional investments, including in digitalization and AI, to reduce economic and social disparities.

Go To ERDF & COHESION FUND

InvestEU PROGRAMME

This Programme support investment and access to finance, including for digital and AI projects, particularly for SMEs and mobilize over €372 billion in investments.

Go To InvestEU PROGRAMME

Recovery and Resilience Facility

With a budget of €723.8 billion (loans and grants) for 2021-2027, at least 20% of each national plan must be dedicated to digital transition, including AI. The objective of RRF is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with investments in AI seen as key to recovery.

Go To RECOVERY & RESILIENCE FACILITY

EU Millestones on A.I.

1. 2025–2026 – adoption of secondary legislation, harmonised standards, and guidance.
   
2. 2 August 2026 – AI Act becomes fully applicable (with some obligations earlier).
   
3. December 2026 – Member States must transpose the revised Product Liability Directive.
4. 1 August 2024
   AI Act enters into force
   
5. February 2024
   European AI Office
6. January 2024
   AI innovation package to support Artificial Intelligence startups and SMEs
7. December 2023
   Political agreement on the AI Act reached by the co-legislators
8. June 2023
   European Parliament's negotiating position on AI Act
9. December 2022
   General approach of the Council on AI Act
10. September 2022
    Proposal for an AI liability directive
11. June 2022
    Launch of first AI regulatory sandbox in Spain: Bringing the AI Regulation forward
12. December 2021
    Committee of the Regions, Opinion on the AI Act
    European Central Bank, Opinion on the AI Act (.PDF)
13. November 2021
    Council of the EU: SI Presidency compromise text on the AI Act (.PDF)
    High-Level Conference on AI: From Ambition to Action (3d European AI Alliance Assembly)
    European Economic and Social Committee, Opinion on the AI Act
14. June 2021
    Public consultation on Civil liability – adapting liability rules to the digital age and artificial intelligence
    European Commission: Proposal for a Regulation on Product Safety
15. April 2021
    European Commission: Communication on Fostering a European approach to AI
    European Commission: Proposal for a regulation laying down harmonised rules on AI
    European Commission: updated coordinated plan on AI
    European Commission: Impact assessment of an AI regulation
16. October 2020
    2nd European AI Alliance Assembly
17. July 2020
    Inception impact assessment: Ethical and legal requirements on AI
    High-Level Expert Group on AI: Final assessment list on trustworthy AI (ALTAI)
    High-Level Expert Group on AI: Sectorial recommendations of trustworthy AI
18. February 2020
    European Commission: White paper on AI: a European approach to excellence and trust
    Public consultation on a European approach to excellence and trust in AI
19. December 2019
    High-Level Expert Group on AI: Piloting of assessment list of trustworthy AI
20. June 2019
    First European AI Alliance Assembly
    High-Level Expert Group on AI: Policy and investment recommendations of AI
21. April 2019
    European Commission Communication: Building trust in human-centric artificial intelligence
    High-Level expert group on AI: Ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI
22. December 2018
    European Commission: Coordinated plan on AI
    European Commission (Press release): AI made in Europe
    European Commission Communication: AI made in Europe
    Stakeholder consultation on draft ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI
23. June 2018
    Launch of the European AI alliance
    Set up of the high-level expert group on AI
24. April 2018
    Press release: Artificial intelligence for Europe
    Communication: Artificial intelligence for Europe
    Staff working document: Liability for emerging digital technologies
    Declaration of cooperation on artificial intelligence
25. March 2018
    Press release: AI expert group and European AI alliance