New Rules for Giant AI and Quantum Factories
Published December 17, 2025
Goal: Secure Europe's AI future
The EU Parliament passed a rule that creates and funds huge AI‑and‑quantum‑computer factories, lays out how they’re run, who can use them, and how they’re paid for, all while requiring strict security, sustainability and fair access.
EU Parliament approves new AI‑gigafactory rule (Dec 17 2025)
The EU Parliament voted for a regulation that updates the 2021 “EuroHPC” law, adding a new pillar for huge AI‑processing plants (called AI Gigafactories) and a pillar for quantum‑technology centres. The rule gives the EU a legal basis to build and fund these facilities, and sets out how they will be run and who can use them.*
1. What the rule does
| What | Key points |
|---|---|
| Creates AI Gigafactories | Large data‑centre‑like plants that hold > 100,000 AI processors and can train, fine‑tune and run very large AI models. |
| Adds a quantum pillar | Funds and coordinates national “Quantum Competence Centres” that let industry, universities and public bodies use quantum computers. |
| Keeps EuroHPC supercomputing | The existing supercomputer network remains, but access is broadened to research, industry and SMEs. |
| Sets up a governance structure | • A Joint Undertaking (EU body) that manages the projects. • An AI Gigafactory Consortium (a group of companies and research bodies that build and run a plant). • An AI Gigafactory Coordinator that represents the consortium and signs hosting agreements. • A hosting agreement that spells out ownership, funding, security, and how the EU can use the plant. |
2. How it will be funded
| Funding source | Amount (EUR) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Total EU contribution | €3 972 300 000 (including €92 m admin costs) | To build and run the AI Gigafactories and quantum centres. |
| Horizon Europe | Up to €1 660 000 000 (of which €160 m is earmarked for quantum) | Major share of the budget; includes guaranteed purchase of computing time for EU‑funded projects. |
| Digital Europe Programme | Up to €2 012 300 000 | Supports AI, quantum and supercomputing infrastructure. |
| Connecting Europe Facility | Up to €300 000 000 | Helps build the data‑centre network and links. |
| Additional matching | Other EU programmes can add money, but this must be matched by non‑EU partners (e.g., member states or private companies). |
Rule: The EU can give up to 17 % of the total capital cost (CAPEX) of an AI Gigafactory, and Horizon Europe will pay for a set amount of computing time (a “lease”) that can be used by EU research, industry and SMEs.
3. How access works
| Who | What access |
|---|---|
| EU‑funded research projects | Guaranteed priority access; free or low‑cost. |
| SMEs, start‑ups, mid‑caps | Special reserved capacity; free if they use EU money for research/innovation. |
| Public‑sector bodies | Free access. |
| Other users (outside EU) | Allowed if they meet strict security and legal checks; usually pay market price. |
The Governing Board of the Joint Undertaking decides on the amount of time each user gets, monitors utilisation, and ensures the plants are used efficiently.
4. Additional rules and safeguards
- Security and interoperability – Every Gigafactory must meet EU cyber‑security and data‑protection standards.
- Climate and energy – Plants must use renewable energy where possible, be energy‑efficient, and recover waste heat.
- Governance – A public body (including the Commission and funding member states) must approve major changes such as new ownership or a shift of critical equipment out of the EU.
- Transparency – The consortium must be chosen by a fair, transparent process led by the Joint Undertaking.
- Reporting – The Joint Undertaking will publish yearly reports on capacity use, new AI models produced, and sustainability performance.
5. Legal effect
- The regulation becomes binding in all EU countries on the 20th day after it is published in the Official Journal.
- The EU Parliament and the Council signed it on 17 Dec 2025, with the Parliament’s President and the Council President as signatories.
Bottom line: The EU has created a new legal framework to build huge, EU‑managed AI and quantum computing facilities, funded by a multi‑billion‑euro budget, governed by a mix of public and private partners, and open to researchers, industry and SMEs while keeping strong security and sustainability standards.
Licensing: The summaries on this page are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
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