In a remarkable collaboration, several leading tech companies in Germany, including Deutsche Telekom, SAP, Ionos, and Schwarz Group, are in discussions to secure funding for a substantial AI data center project. This ambitious endeavor aligns with the European Union’s strategic initiative, “InvestAI,” aimed at enhancing European capabilities in artificial intelligence.
This move comes amid escalating efforts within the EU to establish greater digital sovereignty. The consortium’s project involves the construction of one of Europe’s largest AI data centers, a central component of the EU’s vision to establish five ‘AI gigafactories’ by 2026. The facilities will be home to approximately 100,000 advanced AI chips, supporting the development of AI models with applications in technical and scientific fields, such as medicine.
The partnership is considering a cooperative ownership model to ensure smooth operations. As Thomas Saueressig, a board member at SAP, recently noted at a technology convention, “It can only work in partnership, that’s quite clear. Which model is the right one is currently being discussed.”
The EU’s proposal for these data centers includes a public-private partnership model, distinguishing it by offering up to 35% funding from public sources. This funding structure allows flexibility and shared control, supporting an infrastructure that could significantly bolster the EU’s digital autonomy.
Christine Knackfuss-Nicolic, Deutsche Telekom’s T-Systems CTO, emphasized the importance of this initiative. She stated, “The window of opportunity to create our own independent infrastructure for this is now. Rarely before have the signs and the common will in Europe been as strong as they are today.” Her sentiments highlight the pressing demand for the EU to enhance its digital independent resources.
Meanwhile, Ionos declared, “In principle, we see the European Commission’s initiative as an important step towards greater digital sovereignty, and are interested in participating in it.” The allegiance of such influential industry players in this project affirms the potential impact and magnitude of its promise.
