GDPR

The EU can lead in AI by leveraging its data protection regulations and open data principles. Instead of mirroring US or Chinese approaches, the EU should focus on clear data access rules, promoting accessible, high-quality datasets through initiatives like common European data spaces. Investments in federated learning, privacy-preserving techniques, and explainable AI (XAI) are crucial. This multi-faceted approach combines regulation with strategic investment, fostering responsible AI innovation and attracting investment in key areas like industrial automation and healthcare, boosting European competitiveness.

SAP will invest €20 billion over the next decade to expand its sovereign cloud infrastructure in Europe, including IaaS and on-premise options. This initiative aims to address data sovereignty concerns and GDPR compliance by ensuring customer data remains within the EU. The move positions SAP to compete with Microsoft and Amazon while aligning with the European Commission’s focus on technological sovereignty and AI development. SAP is also involved in the EU’s “AI gigafactory” initiative.