The European Commission has allocated €1.3 billion to boost AI and digital ID development under the Digital Europe Programme. The funding will support AI innovation, cybersecurity, and digital skills training across the EU.

A total of €1.3 billion has been announced by the European Commission to support the advancement and implementation of vital technologies in the European Commission digital ecosystem.

Digital ID and artificial intelligence have emerged as key new technologies that support contemporary society. In order to compete with growth on a worldwide scale, the Digital Europe Programme (Digital) Work Programme places special emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence into society and launching new AI companies. One of the main goals of the DIGITAL work program is to increase the availability and accessibility of generative AI applications, such as expanding into the healthcare industry, as the competition for AI innovation continues to increase.

The available funds will be used to assist Innovation Hubs, a network of businesses and government agencies with the technical know-how to offer advice on the adoption of AI models, implement the AI Act, and curate AI “virtual realities.”

These steps are essential to advancing the EU’s objectives of building more AI “factories,” which entails facilitating the development of AI start-ups or generative AI models for commercial use. AI can strengthen cyber defences against intrusions. The EU is keen to continue developing AI defences to outperform fraud driven by AI. Furthermore, the technical capabilities of AI will support the deployment of the European Trust Infrastructure and the new EU Digital Identity Wallet architecture in Member States.

“Investing in cutting-edge technologies and enabling individuals to enhance their digital competencies is the first step towards safeguarding European tech sovereignty,” stated Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy. With extra money, EU education and training institutes will teach digital skills to entice more talent to enter the profession.

“We are making sure that new technologies—and with them, new potential—reach European citizens, businesses, and public administrations through the opportunities under the Digital European Commission Program.”