On June 3, the European Commission presented the European Technological Sovereignty Package in Brussels. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was emphatic about the need for it: “We cannot afford to depend on others for the technologies that keep hospitals, energy grids, and public services running. This is about protecting our citizens, defending our interests, and making our own choices.”
Positive development
We fully agree with that. As AIC4NL, we advocate for AI Fair Tech: AI that is transparent, respects privacy, operates sustainably, and is accountable for the origin of its data. AI development rests on three layers: the infrastructure at the bottom, the AI models above that, and the applications on top. With these measures, we become more independent at that bottom layer, and we are better positioned to build sovereign models and applications.
One component of the package is the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), which requires European Union member states to identify risks when procuring cloud services for government agencies. In making this decision, close attention must be paid to data sensitivity.
Computing capacity on the European continent must also be tripled over the next five to seven years, primarily through investments by private organizations. Open-source software (software with publicly available code and models with publicly available parameters) will be given priority in public procurement. And the Chips Act 2.0 is intended to ensure that more semiconductor production takes place in Europe.
Long-term policy
One of our goals for AI is a stable, long-term policy. Fortunately, Europe has been working on this for some time now. Consider the AI Act, the investments made through InvestAI, and the rollout of computing power via AI factories across the continent. This package builds on that momentum and demonstrates stability.
With this package, the European Commission is seeking to strike a balance between reducing the dominance of American tech providers in particular and building European alternatives, without resorting to protectionism. It is a sound approach for the government, as a major purchaser of digital technology, to play a key role in this by implementing procurement policies and encouraging developments that incorporate European values wherever possible
Government: Dare to innovate
Unfortunately, reality has proven to be stubborn, dependence is high, and alternatives are often insufficient. Nevertheless, this is a step in the right direction. At the same time, consistent and coordinated implementation will be essential for success. That requires leadership and courage.
We therefore call on the Dutch authorities to take the lead and have the courage to truly embrace alternatives, even if this sometimes means facing temporary inconveniences compared to relying on existing providers. Innovation can be painful at times, but it will ultimately lead to a healthier ecosystem of digital and AI solutions that uphold European values.
