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The workshop aimed to pinpoint both existing and emerging AI technologies that meet the industry's unique needs and bridge current gaps. Attendees included leading vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, automotive start-ups, and research institutes.
There was a strong consensus on the necessity for a sovereign, open, secure, and competitive AI value chain across Europe. The insights gained will contribute to the Commission’s ongoing initiatives, especially the “Apply AI” strategy. This event was organised by DG CNECT alongside DG RTD, DG GROW, and DG MOVE.
Session highlights and key conclusions
- Strategic AI opportunities: participants highlighted AI advancements in engineering tools, driver assistance, virtual/augmented reality, and vehicle-to-everything models. Europe has a strong potential to lead in developing reliable AI for safety-critical applications.
- Development and deployment challenges: fragmented ecosystems and limited data access were major obstacles. Proposed solutions included building distributed innovation ecosystems, utilising open-source reference models, and enhancing AI talent retention, standardisation, and infrastructure.
- Regulatory coordination: experts discussed aligning the AI Act, Type Approval, and C-ITS to foster innovation. Cross-border regulatory testbeds, as emphasised in the Automotive Action Plan, were recognised for advancing autonomous driving across the EU.
- Data sharing initiatives: Creating a European Automotive Data Platform was proposed to improve data availability and facilitate industry cooperation and innovation.
- Advanced computing solutions: AI factories and cutting-edge computing technologies like in-memory computing and RISC-V were discussed as critical for bolstering Europe’s AI ecosystem.
- Connectivity requirements: the role of V2X technology and the expansion of telecom networks were seen as essential for facilitating connected and automated driving, underscoring the need for advanced 5G and edge computing capabilities.
Outcomes and next steps
The EU has a unique opportunity to lead in developing automotive-specific AI models and applications by leveraging its industrial data—if it acts decisively and quickly.
We invite stakeholders, including industry, civil society, public authorities and others, to submit their input through a public consultation, which closes on 4 June 2025. This will help to identify priorities and current challenges to the uptake of AI in the automotive sector as well as potential solutions and policy approaches.
Read more information
- Public consultation on Apply AI: Call for evidence
- Automotive Action Plan: Action Plan to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness
- AI strategy and policy: AI Continent Action Plan
You can also watch the full recording of the event.