Only 13.5% of companies in the European Union are currently using artificial intelligence. That figure, surprisingly low for such an economically powerful region, is now a primary concern for the European Commission.
On April 9, 2025, it unveiled the AI Continent Action Plan, a sweeping proposal designed to transform Europe into a global leader in AI innovation (1). This isn’t just about competing with the United States or China. The EU is betting on long-term sovereignty and strategic technological independence.
This framework touches every corner of the AI pipeline, from infrastructure and regulation to education and adoption.
Building Europe’s AI Backbone
A major part of the plan revolves around infrastructure. The EU is deploying a series of AI Factories linked to supercomputers across the continent. Thirteen are already rolling out.
Next in line are AI Gigafactories, each packing around 100,000 cutting-edge AI chips. These facilities would multiply current processing capacity by four. It’s the digital equivalent of building an electrical grid before plugging in the lights.
Alongside hardware, the Commission plans to set up Data Labs within these hubs (2). These labs will process and curate high-quality datasets from across the EU. Feeding those into training pipelines ensures better-performing AI models with less bias and higher accountability.
This is all part of the upcoming Data Union Strategy, expected to launch later in 2025. Its goal is to build a unified internal market for data, something Europe has long needed to keep pace with global players.
Addressing the Talent Shortage and Slow Adoption
The AI sector is hungry for talent. Europe’s universities produce strong researchers, but brain drain and slow adoption threaten momentum. To reverse that, the EU is introducing a Talent Pool initiative to better match developers with demand across industries.
Also in motion are refreshed Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships, as well as a dedicated AI Skills Academy. This academy will cover both classical and generative AI, with an emphasis on hands-on application in sectors like health, justice, and public administration.
Adoption is still lagging. The Apply AI Strategy targets this issue directly. With only a fraction of EU companies using AI, the Commission is looking to scale tailored solutions across both public and private sectors.
This imbalance between talent and adoption is something we’ve also noted in consumer AI platforms. In our Nectar AI Review, for example, we observed how platform design often outpaces user readiness, highlighting a gap in user support, onboarding, and educational tooling. The EU’s approach attempts to solve that across the entire economy.
Smarter Regulation Without the Drag
To reduce legal friction, the EU is launching an AI Act Service Desk. It’s a single hub where companies can understand compliance without drowning in red tape.
This isn’t a move to soften standards. It’s about enabling innovation while maintaining trust. Transparency remains a cornerstone of the AI Act.
Two public consultations are currently open through June 4, 2025. These address the Cloud and AI Development Act, and the Apply AI Strategy. A third consultation, focused on the Data Union Strategy, is expected in May.
A Clear Signal for Platform Developers
This move reshapes the AI landscape, especially for those working on adult-facing AI companions. Stricter infrastructure, better data policies, and ethical oversight are coming whether developers are ready or not.
At RedHairedGirls.com, we’ve reviewed dozens of AI tools, including Candy AI. While this particular operator wasn’t named in the plan, it, and others like it, will feel the downstream effects of these changes. Our position remains clear: these tools must be adult-only, transparent, and safe.
Europe is serious about AI. The next generation of companion platforms will have to be as well. And for users seeking realistic, emotionally adaptive interactions, this moment could define what the Best AI Girlfriend services will look like under stricter European guidance.
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