Comment by European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS)

At ELLIS we believe that a strong AI research landscape distributed across various locations in Europe is essential for maintaining Europe’s sovereignty in this competitive field. AI research does not require access to centralized, expensive and unique physical facilities (known for example from fields like particle physics). Having a central research body would risk isolating AI research from the sectors, research communities and citizens that it should serve. A multi-centric AI research laboratory with strong institutions in all parts of Europe and well-rooted in the regional ecosystems will generate real innovation for Europe, best leverage Europe’s cultural diversity, and integrate European values in the development of future technology. Read the ELLIS statement “AI Foundation Models - A Roadmap for Europe” which includes a call to establish an intergovernmental multi-centric AI research organization with high-performance computing facilities in Europe.