PARIS — The ELLIS network is applauding the European Commission’s launch of the InvestAI initiative, viewing it as a major step forward in enhancing Europe’s AI capabilities. With a strong focus on large-scale computing infrastructure, the initiative complements ELLIS’s dedication to fostering cutting-edge research, open collaboration, and talent-driven innovation. ELLIS emphasizes that sustained investments in AI talent and cross-border networks are vital to securing Europe’s long-term competitive advantage in the AI sector.

During the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed InvestAI, a new initiative aimed at mobilizing €200 billion to boost AI investments across Europe. A significant portion of this includes a €20 billion fund for AI gigafactories, which will house 100,000 advanced AI chips to facilitate the training of complex models. By making computing power more accessible, InvestAI seeks to strengthen Europe’s leadership in AI while fostering open, collaborative development for both industrial and critical applications. The initiative is funded through a combination of public and private investments, establishing a trustworthy and robust AI ecosystem.

InvestAI marks a pivotal moment for the European Commission, demonstrating its commitment to fortifying Europe’s role as a global AI leader. This effort aligns closely with the mission of ELLIS, which advocates for a pan-European network dedicated to advancing AI research through collaboration and innovation, all while maintaining European values. ELLIS has consistently worked to attract top AI talent, with recent contributions from its members being showcased at the AI Action Week’s Science Days.

While InvestAI rightly highlights the importance of computational resources, key figures in the AI field such as Yann LeCun (Meta), Nuria Oliver (ELLIS Vice President), and Bernhard Schölkopf (ELLIS President) argue that true AI innovation comes not just from infrastructure but from the talent behind the technology. In a recent opinion piece, these leaders emphasized that Europe must not only invest in infrastructure but also in research, development, and talent acquisition to build long-term AI leadership. Europe’s success in AI will depend on attracting and nurturing exceptional minds capable of pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

AI-driven advancements, such as the development of DeepSeek, are proof that human talent drives innovation. If Europe hopes to remain competitive globally, it must create an environment that places people-centered science at its core. Without the expertise to leverage and drive innovation, Europe’s AI infrastructure will fail to reach its full potential.

In addition to nurturing talent, the growth of strong AI hubs and networks is crucial. Cross-border collaboration is essential for accelerating AI innovation and ensuring that talent across Europe remains interconnected, rather than isolated. One such example is the ELLIS Institute Finland, which brings together top AI experts and connects them to the broader ELLIS network. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo highlighted the significance of AI hubs like ELLIS Institute Finland in his plenary speech at the AI Action Summit.

ELLIS, with its established pan-European network and proven track record of fostering collaboration, is poised to become a pivotal organization for AI research, akin to CERN or EMBL for scientific research. However, to achieve this vision and ensure Europe’s place as a global AI powerhouse, substantial investment is needed in its talent and mission. The ELLIS network’s involvement in AI Action Summit initiatives underscores its commitment to building a Europe-wide AI ecosystem that thrives on collaboration and innovation.

Investing in ELLIS means investing in a people-centered approach to AI research and development, where talent transcends borders and contributes to Europe’s global AI leadership. By continuing to support and expand this collaborative network, Europe can ensure it remains at the forefront of AI innovation, attracting the brightest minds and creating the synergies necessary for success.