Tusk calls for joint European action in AI race with US and China

In brief

• Donald Tusk urges EU countries to combine efforts in artificial intelligence to compete with the United States and China.
• He proposes leading European AI research institutes, faster conversion of research into industry, and pooled funding.
• The topic is expected to be discussed by EU leaders at a summit in Dublin.

Scale as the central argument

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on Europe to join forces in artificial intelligence, describing the field as the bloc's next competition after earlier technological races. In a post on the platform X, he said that acting together would give the European Union far greater scale, strength and influence. (Tusk chce zjednoczyć Europę w wyścigu z USA i Chinami. Chodzi o AI – Puls Biznesu) (Tusk proponuje utworzenie wiodących europejskich instytutów badawczych ds. AI – Bankier.pl) (Donald Tusk apeluje o wspólne działanie Europy. "To nasz kolejny wyścig" – Onet)

Tusk argued that coordinated action would make the 27 member states far more productive and allow them to use a much wider range of services. He said that scale is the reason the United States and China are currently ahead of Europe.

Proposals

Tusk proposed setting up leading European AI research institutes, turning research results into industrial potential, and making the cooperation mechanism of the 27 member states work effectively. He also said Europe should stop financing its ambitions separately and instead pool funding for AI development. He framed the plan as a way to secure Europe a place in the AI revolution.

Summit context

The issue is expected to feature in talks among EU leaders at a summit in Dublin, which Tusk is due to attend on Friday.

Key figures

• Member states involved: 27