On 29 January 2025, the European AI Forum (EAIF), the AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA), and EIT Digital issued a joint statement addressing recent advances by the United States and China in artificial intelligence initiatives. The statement underscores the need for the European Union to develop a robust, energy-efficient, and strategically autonomous AI infrastructure as a matter of urgency. It is termed the "EU AI Stack" and is intended to foster an open, sovereign, and innovative European AI ecosystem. ​

The announcement of the STARGATE project by U.S. President Trump, involving major partners such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, signifies a substantial investment—up to $500 billion —in expanding AI infrastructure in the United States. Concurrently, China's commitment, exemplified by the Bank of China's plan to invest 1 trillion yuan (approximately $140 billion ) in the AI sector over five years, highlights its strategic focus on AI to bolster geopolitical influence.

​The joint statement advocates for the European Union to take decisive action by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, stimulating private investment, encouraging entrepreneurial initiatives, and promoting the adoption of European AI solutions across various industries. Failure to act promptly, the statement warns, could result in Europe lagging behind in global AI development. This would increase dependence on non-European AI providers and compromise the continent's technological competitiveness and digital sovereignty. ​