Companies Urge EU Commission to Preserve Access for Global Cloud Providers

European Commission Announces Upcoming AI & Cloud Proposal

What to Expect

In December, the European Commission is slated to unveil a comprehensive proposal that brings together artificial intelligence and cloud computing policy frameworks. The initiative aims to strengthen the integration of AI in cloud services while ensuring robust governance and ethical standards across the single market.

Key Focus Areas

• Standardisation of AI‑driven cloud services
• Enhancing data protection and privacy safeguards
• Promoting transparent AI decision‑making in cloud environments
• Encouraging cross‑border collaboration among AI‑cloud innovators
• Supporting the development of EU‑centric AI‑cloud infrastructure

Why It Matters

The proposed framework is expected to harmonise regulations across member states, fostering a healthier competitive landscape and boosting investor confidence in AI‑cloud solutions. By addressing ethical concerns and regulatory gaps, the Commission hopes to spur advanced technology adoption while safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Europe’s Cloud Strategy Faces Pushback From Tech Firms

Under the European Commission’s AI and Cloud Development Act, a wave of comments from tech giants and industry associations highlight worries that forthcoming regulations could unduly limit access for non‑European businesses.

Background

In April, the Commission unveiled a new AI‑focused initiative, part of its larger AI Continent Action Plan, aimed at encouraging enterprises to adopt artificial‑intelligence solutions. The plan has prompted a consultation on how cloud and high‑performance computing infrastructure must evolve to meet escalating AI workload demands.

Key Issues

• Supply Gap – Europe struggles to match the computing capacity needed by growing AI projects, forcing many companies to rely on U.S. providers such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.
• Competitive EU Cloud – The consultation seeks to address the absence of a robust, EU‑based cloud offering capable of handling critical, highly secure use cases in both the public and private sectors.
• Sovereignty Guidelines – While many support a stronger European cloud, they dispute how best to define sovereignty requirements.

Industry Perspectives

• Bitkom (German Digital Association) – Emphasizes the importance of choosing providers based on freedom of choice, resilience, and diversification instead of restrictive mandates.
• Microsoft – Calls for a market that remains open and competitive, urging the EU to focus on supply‑chain diversification so clients can select from a range of cloud services based on objective risk and performance criteria.
• Software Business Association (BSA) – Warns that stringent rules could severely limit European customers’ ability to pick services best suited to their needs.
• Eco (German Internet Industry Group) – Stresses that any regulatory measures must be transparent and proportional, and should not exclude international cloud providers solely on geographical grounds.

Conclusion

As the EU shapes its cloud strategy, stakeholders converge on a single point: regulations must avoid overly restrictive measures, ensuring that European firms maintain access to a diverse pool of cloud providers capable of meeting high security and performance demands.

European Parliament report

More Than 130 Submissions Flood EU AI Consultation

In a recent push to shape Europe’s AI future, the Commission has received a record‑setting 130+ submissions for its consultation that closes this Thursday. The bulk of feedback comes from Germany, Spain, and Belgium, reflecting keen interest across the continent.

Timeline and Scope

• Proposal due for completion in December.
• Other Commission consultations remain pending, covering infrastructure, data access, cloud, skills, and regulatory simplification under the AI Continent Action Plan.
• Parallel report under development by the European Parliament aims to boost technological sovereignty and curb reliance on external technology providers.

Strategic Vision

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined in February in Paris that the plan will convert Europe’s traditional industries into “powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration.” This ambition underscores the need for robust AI ecosystems across sectors.

Addressing Cloud Dependence

Responding to a European Parliament question on reliance on U.S. cloud services, EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized, “The forthcoming Cloud and AI Development Act will secure EU‑based capacity for critical needs, underpinned by a unified cloud policy for the public sector.”

Next Steps

• Submit feedback before the Thursday deadline.
• Monitor the December release for policy details.
• Track the European Parliament’s report for complementary recommendations.

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