EU Launches New Package on Digital Sovereignty, Open Source to Play Key Role

The European Commission has launched a new package on digital sovereignty, with open source seen as a key means to achieve this goal. The package includes a new strategy on open source, which is seen as crucial in reducing Europe’s dependence on non-European providers of digital technologies. The Commission estimates that around 2 billion euros of public and private investments will be needed over the next seven years to implement this strategy.

The strategy includes the expansion of the Open Internet Stack, support for open source accelerators, and encouragement of their use in public markets and research programs. It also includes cooperation with member states through initiatives such as the Digital Commons EDIC. The Commission estimates that around 200 billion euros will be needed by 2036 to increase Europe’s data center capacities, primarily through the private sector.

The European Commission has recognized Europe’s dependence on non-European providers of digital technologies, with around 80% of products, services, and infrastructure used in the EU coming from outside the continent. The Commission has also estimated that around 100 billion euros will be needed for cloud and AI initiatives, AI Factories, and Gigafactories.