EU to Invest €1.3 Billion in AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Skills

The European Commission announced a €1.3 billion investment into AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills. It is the EC's new move to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.

The funding, set to be deployed between 2025 and 2027 under the EC’s newly adopted Digital Europe Program, aims to boost the region’s AI capabilities, enhance cyber defenses, and equip EU citizens with advanced digital skills. The EC said the program is the EU’s first funding initiative focused exclusively on bringing digital technology to businesses and citizens, with an emphasis on supporting deployment.

Key priorities under the initiative include expanding access to generative AI resources, particularly in the health and care sectors, reinforcing cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructures, and pushing digital skills training to attract talent and upskill the European workforce as the uptake of new technologies such as AI accelerates. The investment also aims to support European Digital Innovation Hubs, a network offering businesses and public sector entities access to technical expertise, technology testing, and training to promote widespread AI adoption across Europe.

In addition, the EC outlined plans to invest in the deployment of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, aiming to encourage its adoption across member states. The program aligns with the EC’s broader strategy to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and reduce reliance on non-EU technologies. Henna Virkkunen, executive VP for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy at the EC, said: “Securing European tech sovereignty starts with investing in advanced technologies and in making it possible for people to improve their digital competencies.”