Investments in Europe in artificial intelligence, which countries lead?

2024-04-30 12:43:13Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Investments in Europe in artificial intelligence, which countries lead?

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global economic landscape, emerging as a major force in the digital domain and driving innovation across sectors. By 2030, Artificial Intelligence is expected to have injected more than 11 trillion euros into the global economy. It is predicted that Artificial Intelligence and robotics together will drive the creation of around 60 million new jobs globally by 2025, underscoring the critical importance of digitization in driving economic growth.

In a concerted effort to match global technology leaders, the European Union is intensifying its push to integrate and advance Artificial Intelligence, with a particular emphasis on strengthening digital infrastructure and capabilities across its member states. However, despite these optimistic forecasts, challenges remain.

The European Commission has set ambitious targets for 2030, aiming for 90% of EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to achieve at least a basic level of digital intensity and for 75% of EU companies to adopt technologies such as cloud.

Investment strategies in Artificial Intelligence vary significantly between EU member states, ranging from direct funding of research and development, to indirect support through the digitization of business and public services.

Spain's National Recovery and Resilience Plan specifically allocates funds to strengthen the development of Artificial Intelligence, aiming to position the country as a leader in scientific excellence and innovation. The plan focuses on the development of Artificial Intelligence tools and applications in the Spanish language to increase productivity in the private sector and efficiency in public administration.

Italy's Strategic Program for Artificial Intelligence (2022-2024), aligning with the EU strategy, aims to make the country a global hub for AI research and innovation by increasing skills and attracting talent.

Denmark is using its strong research and development ecosystem and high digital intensity among SMEs to improve the national strategy, including Artificial Intelligence to improve public administration through reforms. The European Commission's Joint Research Center has conducted an exhaustive analysis of AI-related funding across EU countries.

According to the study, the EU's next generation instrument and its Recovery and Resilience Facility account for 70% of total investments in digital transformation. Specifically, from the 116.8 billion euros allocated for the "Digital Decade", 4.376 billion euros are intended for Artificial Intelligence projects.

A breakdown of investments by country shows Italy as the leader, planning 1.895 billion euros for projects related to Artificial Intelligence. After it comes Spain with 1.2 billion euros. Together, the two Southern European countries represent 71% of the total investment allocated to projects related to Artificial Intelligence.

Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria are at the bottom of the list, committing less than 1% of their budgets to AI-related projects. European countries are allocating on average around 3% of their digitization funds to Artificial Intelligence projects.


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