New EU AI Strategy: What's missing for a complete ecosystem?

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, recently presented the European Union's new strategic plan for artificial intelligence. At a time when AI is becoming increasingly influential in all fields – from health and education to industry and security – Europe is taking a step forward in creating a robust, responsible and competitive AI ecosystem.

At UP2DATE, we consider this strategy more than welcome. But at the same time, we notice a significant gap: lack of a clear approach to the integration between software and hardware – an essential condition for the success of any European AI ecosystem.

What does the new EU strategy for AI foresee?

• Regulatory Simplification – AI no longer needs to be blocked by red tape. The Commission promises clear, transparent and easy-to-apply regulations.

• Building data infrastructures – Creating common, safe and accessible European data spaces for developers and companies.

• Development of European algorithms – Financial and logistical support for "made in Europe" algorithms.

• Skills Building – Training the workforce and educating a new generation of AI experts.

Why is this strategy important?

• Because Europe must be competitive in the global AI race dominated by the US and China.

• Because we need ethical, transparent and secure technology.

• Because without a coherent framework, European startups and companies get lost in the bureaucratic chaos and lack of resources.

So where's the problem? Software needs real support

The EU's strategy is coherent and ambitious, but puts the majority of the focus on infrastructure and regulation, while companies developing software – the functional core of AI – are only mentioned in passing. Without direct support for these firms, we risk having rules and databases but too few truly competitive European applications.

While the US and China invest billions in software development ecosystems, Europe must provide:

•  Clear funding for European AI startups developing viable commercial applications.

•  Acceleration and mentoring programs for firms integrating AI into real products.

• Access to institutional clients, through the digitization of administration and smart public procurement.

• Collaborative platforms between research, business and industry, where algorithms can be tested, refined and applied concretely.

Without useful applications, algorithms remain just experiments. And without strong companies, European AI will not matter globally.

• An industrial blueprint for AI hardware – Supporting European companies developing microchips, servers and edge solutions.

• Public-private partnerships for rapid prototyping – Reducing time from research to commercial product.

• Proactive Government Procurement – Public administrations could stimulate local hardware production through steady demand.

• Collaboration with global players, but in clear terms – Europe can work with big suppliers, but needs access to technology, not just customer label.****

How can UP2DATE help?

At UP2DATE, we are constantly working with AI, data and infrastructure. We see the acute need for balance between software and hardware development:

•  AI Project Consulting with scalability, ethics and hardware integration.

• Model optimization for efficient operation on local or edge infrastructure.

• Design of sustainable architectures, from software to hardware, adapted to the real needs of European companies.

Conclusion: We have the vision. Let's support the creators too.

The new EU AI strategy is a crucial step. But to have a truly competitive European AI, we need to see technology as a complete ecosystem: algorithms need not only data and infrastructure, but also agile, innovative firms that build useful, scalable and ethical applications.

At UP2DATE, we support digitization that harnesses the potential of software, local innovation and entrepreneurship.

What do you think about the AI ​​strategy of the European Union? Is there enough support for companies innovating through software? Tell us in the comments!****