The European Commission has presented an ambitious action plan: Europe must become the first AI continent. Not a symbolic aim, but a strategic change of direction that will affect organizations in all sectors. With €200 billion in investments, new AI supercomputers, data sovereignty and its own European AI infrastructure, the playing field is changing. And the key question for Dutch CIOs is: how are you going to play?

What is the AI Continent Action Plan?

The European Commission's AI Continent Action Plan is a multi-year programme (2025—2029) to radically strengthen the European position in AI. Not by simply joining the global AI race, but by building an alternative ecosystem: people-oriented, trustworthy and based on European values.

The five pillars:

1. Computing power

Via 13 so-called AI Factories (AI supercomputers) and the arrival of AI Gigafactories (with >100,000 AI processors).

2. Access to data

New Data Labs and a Data Union Strategy for secure data exchange.

3. Sectoral adoption

An “Apply AI Strategy” for industry, energy, health, mobility and more.

4. Talent and Skills

The AI Skills Academy and fellowship programs to develop and attract European AI talent.

5. Clear rules

With the AI Act and a one-market approach, acceleration is combined with trust.

What does this mean for CIOs of Dutch organizations?

For CIOs in industry, energy, mobility and public services, this is not policy news, but immediate strategic reality:

• Opportunities to access public European AI computing power.
• Access to sector-specific data spaces, including data cleaning & enrichment.
• Support for AI adoption via European hubs, with concrete support for proof of concepts, skills and compliance.
• Priority in European procurement and subsidies for organizations that develop or implement AI within EU frameworks.

The implication: CIOs should not only adopt AI, but navigating the new European playing field. And that requires insight, direction and speed.

And why is this relevant right now?

Because, unlike the US or China, Europe does not opt for “winner takes all”, but for inclusive adoption. The resources that become available — such as the AI Factories, data labs and funds — are explicitly intended for:

• Medium and large companies with concrete AI ambitions
• SMEs with scale potential
• Sectors of strategic importance for Europe

For CIOs, this means: don't wait for what Big Tech does, but choose your own direction within a reliable, European framework that protects and accelerates you.

How does Blackbirds help organizations do this?

As a boutique agency, we have one focus: accelerating AI impact for organizations that want but are stuck between ambition and execution. From our network of the top 1% Data & AI Experts in Europe we help organizations with:

• Assessing their AI readiness in relation to the European course.
• Linking AI strategy to European infrastructure, funding and data sovereignty.
• Translating regulations (AI Act, Data Act) into executable implementation.

For this purpose, we offer a strategic workshop where we mirror your current situation with the new European reality — including concrete recommendations, opportunities and risks.

Conclusion: Now is the time to act

The European AI ambition is real. The resources are there. The frames are in place. The question is not whether you will have to deal with it — but whether you are already in position to to help build AI made in Europe.

As a CIO, ask you:
Are you AI-ready for the European playing field?

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