Artificial Intelligence is transforming our world, and Europe must take bold steps to ensure its leadership in this critical field. CAIRNE envisions a “CERN for AI”—a pan-European initiative that will create a distributed network of AI research centers, with a central hub serving as a focal point for collaboration, innovation, and ethical AI development. This initiative will drive AI research that aligns with European values, ensuring that the continent remains at the forefront of technological progress. Europe is at a crossroads. While AI advancements continue to accelerate, much of the critical research, infrastructure, and development are concentrated outside Europe. Without a dedicated European effort, we risk technological dependence, economic stagnation, and a future where AI development does not reflect our democratic values. A CERN for AI will: * Provide World-Class AI Infrastructure: Establish a shared, state-of-the-art research hub with computing power and datasets accessible to European researchers. Unverified source (2025)