Brussels, 10 February 2025
The summit will be hosted by France with India co-chairing the event. Building on past AI safety summits (Bletchley Park, Seoul) and global initiatives, the Summit aims to build global consensus on an ethical approach to developing AI while ensuring that innovation can flourish and putting an emphasis on AI for the public good.
This article focuses on Executive Vice-President Virkkunen’s activities:
At the summit, the Executive Vice-President will highlight the European Commission’s latest advancements in AI governance and infrastructure, particularly through the AI Factories initiative and the EU Codes of Practice for general-purpose AI.
On Monday 10 February, she will participate in two key sessions coordinated by the European AI Office: a panel on “Future-proofing trustworthy AI governance with an update on the EU Codes of Practice” and a workshop on “Building the EU AI Continent: AI Champions and AI Factories.” These discussions will reinforce Europe’s leadership in shaping responsible AI development while fostering innovation.
Overall, the Executive Vice-President will explore the following topics during the 2-day AI Action Summit.
Update on the EU Code to practice for general-purpose AI
On Monday 10 February, EVP Virkkunen will update the AI Summit panel on “Future-proofing trustworthy AI governance with an update on the EU Codes of Practice” with the latest development of the Code of Practice for general-purpose AI. The Code is key guiding document for providers of general-purpose AI models to comply with the AI Act. It will define transparency and copyright obligations applicable to all such models in the European market. For the most advanced AI models that may pose systemic risks, the Code will establish risk assessment and mitigation measures throughout the model’s lifecycle, addressing challenges at an early stage. By aligning with emerging industry best practices, the initiative ensures AI providers can continue to innovate while maintaining consumer and SME trust. The Code is set to detail out the AI Acts’ rules for General-Purpose AI models to help providers comply with existing obligations – the Code does not add any new obligations. Further details on the Code can be found in a dedicated Q&A.
A defining feature of the Code of Practice is their multi-stakeholder approach. As global pioneers in AI regulation, the EU is working with over 1 000 stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society to craft pragmatic, risk-based guidance. This collaboration ensures the Code is comprehensive, practical, and reflective of diverse perspectives.
The Code of Practice is part of a broader ecosystem of AI governance. It builds upon various voluntary commitments, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to responsible AI development. Further discussions on these commitments will take place during the AI Summit.
AI Factories: Strengthening Europe’s AI capabilities
Still on Monday, the EVP will participate in a workshop on “Building the EU AI Continent: AI Champions and AI Factories”. As part of its commitment to making Europe an AI Continent, the Commission is deploying AI Factories across Member States to accelerate the development of AI models and generative AI solutions. These AI Factories will provide enhanced AI supercomputing capabilities, supporting startups and researchers in creating trustworthy and ethical AI models. By leveraging the power of EuroHPC supercomputers, AI Factories will reduce reliance on external AI providers and bolster Europe’s digital sovereignty.
The first set of AI Factories was selected by the EuroHPC JU Governing Board in December 2024, with seven proposals from Spain (with Portugal, Romania, and Türkiye), Italy (with Austria and Slovenia), Finland (with Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Poland), Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, and Greece. These first seven Factories represent a €1.5 billion investment from national and EU funds and will increase Europe’s AI computing capacity by at least threefold. In February 2025, new proposals to host AI Factories were submitted. The decision of the Governing Board regarding this selection is expected on 5 March 2025.
AI for Good: advancing AI in health and science
A key focus of the AI Factories initiative is AI for Good, particularly in crisis management, reconstruction, energy and health and science. As part of the AI Summit, a dedicated workshop “AI in Health and Science” will focus on how to identify opportunities at the intersection of health and science and how to prioritize real world evidence.
AI applications in these sectors will include early cancer detection by image, personalised medicine, and advanced research capabilities, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of innovation that directly benefits its citizens. The AI Factories will also foster collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, ensuring that AI developments align with European values of trust, transparency, and ethics.
Showcasing Europe’s AI strengths
On Tuesday 11 February, EVP Virkkunen will visit Station F, the largest European incubator, and deliver a speech highlighting Europe’s assets to lead in trustworthy AI, from top talent and world-class supercomputers to innovative start-ups and robust infrastructure. She will also hold bilateral meetings with ministers and AI business leaders to further discuss Europe’s AI agenda.
Apply AI Strategy: positioning Europe as an AI Continent
In line with the President von der Leyen’s political guidelines, the Apply AI Strategy will aim to boost new industrial uses of AI and improve public services’ delivery, fostering AI innovation and competitiveness in EU strategic sectors. The goal of the strategy is to create an enabling environment that accelerates progress in AI and its adoption, drives investment and innovation, boosts productivity while leveraging trustworthy AI. By connecting and strengthening all AI-related instruments, the Strategy will serve as blueprint for creating an AI Continent.
Moreover, among other things, the Apply AI Strategy will foster actions to strengthen the necessary skills to use and benefit from AI in the EU.
Empowering Europe’s AI talent through the establishment of the AI Skills Academy
As one key action in this direction, the Commission is working on establishing an AI Skills Academy. This effort will aim to develop a skilled workforce equipped to effectively harness AI technologies, with a focus on generative AI. The Academy will provide education, training and apprenticeship programs and facilitate the integration of women in the field of AI, ensuring Europe has the talent necessary to compete globally. Close collaboration will be ensured between the AI Skills Academy and the AI Factories to leverage both capacities and expertise and drive AI innovation forward.
Following the AI Action Summit in Paris, the Commission will continue engaging with industry stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers to ensure AI remains a cornerstone of Europe’s competitiveness, economic growth, and technological sovereignty.
Source – EU Commission