On the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 as regards an EuroHPC initiative for start-ups to boost European leadership in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
A-9-2024-0161
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Maria da Graça Carvalho
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Parliament's amended version of a Council regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 to add an AI initiative for start-ups. It adds a new objective and pillar for AI Factories, rules on acquiring AI-dedicated supercomputers, and access conditions.¶¶¶ The Joint Undertaking would acquire and own AI-dedicated supercomputers, with the Union covering up to 50% of acquisition and operating costs. Hosting entities would run AI Factories offering supercomputing services to start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and researchers.¶¶¶ Access would be defined by the Governing Board, with specific conditions for different users and only for trustworthy and ethical AI projects. The Union's access time would not exceed 50% of total access time.¶¶
Committee position. The committee approves the Commission proposal as amended and calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, on the Council to notify Parliament if it departs from the approved text, and to consult Parliament again on substantial amendments.¶¶¶
Key points
- Adds a seventh objective for the Joint Undertaking: to develop and operate AI Factories supporting a competitive, sustainable, trustworthy and ethical AI ecosystem in the Union.¶
- Creates an AI Factory pillar covering acquisition and operation of AI-dedicated supercomputers, upgrades of existing EuroHPC supercomputers, access for public and private users, and AI-oriented service centres.¶¶¶
- Requires AI Factories to communicate opportunities to start-ups, scale-ups and research communities, attract and retain talent, and cooperate with other AI Factories and EU AI initiatives.¶¶¶
- Sets additional selection criteria for hosting entities, including proximity to data centres, energy efficiency plans, support for the AI start-up ecosystem, and talent development.¶¶¶
- Allows an existing hosting entity selected by the Governing Board to establish an AI Factory if it meets the criteria.¶
- Requires hosting entities to create a one-stop shop for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and other users to facilitate access to support services and skills development.¶
- Lays down that the Joint Undertaking shall acquire and own AI-dedicated supercomputers, with the Union contribution covering up to 50% of acquisition and operating costs; the rest is covered by Participating States.¶¶¶
- Requires supplier selection to be demand-driven and address supply chain security; the Governing Board may restrict supplier participation for security or strategic autonomy reasons.¶¶
- Allows ownership of an AI-dedicated supercomputer to be transferred, sold or decommissioned at the earliest five years after acceptance, with cost-sharing rules.¶
- Amends rules on upgrading EuroHPC supercomputers, including AI capabilities, and sets the Union contribution for upgrade costs at the same percentage as for the original supercomputer.¶¶
- Requires AI-dedicated and AI-upgraded supercomputers to be used primarily for developing, testing and validating large-scale AI models and applications.¶
- Tasks the Governing Board with defining access conditions, including specific access for start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, and limits eligibility to trustworthy and ethical AI projects in line with Union rules and values.¶
Who is affected
- AI start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs: gain access to supercomputing services and dedicated support through AI Factories.¶¶
- Hosting entities of EuroHPC supercomputers: must meet new selection criteria and create a one-stop shop.¶¶
- The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking: acquires and owns AI-dedicated supercomputers and operates AI Factories.¶¶
- Participating States: cover the remaining cost of ownership of AI-dedicated supercomputers.¶
- Suppliers: may face restrictions on participation for security or strategic autonomy reasons.¶
Figures and deadlines
- up to 50 % of the acquisition costs plus up to 50 % of the operating costs of AI-dedicated supercomputers covered by the Union contribution¶
- at the earliest five years after the successful acceptance test for transfer, sale or decommissioning of an AI-dedicated supercomputer¶
- Union's access time to each high-end, quantum, and AI-dedicated EuroHPC supercomputer shall not exceed 50 % of total access time¶
Legal basis: Article 187 and the first subparagraph of Article 188 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶