Europe Now Seeking Greater AI Sovereignty, Report Claims

Core Insights - European organizations are increasingly prioritizing control over data and infrastructure, driving demand for sovereign AI solutions [1][4] - 62% of organizations in Europe are seeking sovereign solutions due to geopolitical uncertainties, with higher interest in Denmark (80%), Ireland (72%), and Germany (72%) [1] - Sectors with regulatory requirements, such as banking (76%), public service (69%), and utilities (70%), are leading the adoption of sovereign AI [1] - Approximately 60% of European organizations plan to increase investments in sovereign AI technology, particularly in Germany (73%), Italy (71%), and Switzerland (64%) [1] - Only 36% of AI initiatives in European organizations currently require a sovereign approach due to regulatory or data sensitivity [1] Industry Trends - Organizations are balancing data control with the need for access to technological advancements, with 65% acknowledging the necessity of non-European tech providers for competitiveness [1] - 57% of organizations are exploring the feasibility of sovereign solutions from both European and non-European providers [2] - Accenture is collaborating with AI infrastructure providers like Nebius to support the establishment of sovereign AI factories in Europe [3] Strategic Considerations - The approach to sovereign AI is not about centralizing everything but making technology choices based on desired control levels over data and infrastructure [4] - Only 19% of organizations view sovereign AI as a competitive advantage, while 48% cite compliance as the main motivation for adoption [4] - There is a call for governments and institutions to enhance Europe's digital sovereignty through regulations and public investments, with 73% of organizations supporting this [4] Role of SMEs - Small and medium enterprises are considered critical for accessing sovereign solutions, with 70% of organizations recognizing their importance [5] Research Basis - The findings are based on a survey of 1,928 organizations across 28 countries and 18 industries, conducted in July-August this year [6] Recommendations - Sovereign AI should be a CEO-led priority, aligning AI strategy with enterprise risk and geopolitical realities [7] - Organizations should view sovereignty as a source of value creation rather than just risk mitigation [7] - Companies are encouraged to build hybrid ecosystems that combine local trust with global innovation [7] - Firms need to embed sovereignty into every layer of AI architecture for resilience and adaptability [7]