Feeling a sense of crisis as it falls behind in the tech race with the US and China, the European Union (EU) will invest 10 billion euros, approximately 16.5 trillion won, to build seven "artificial intelligence (AI) gigafactories" across the EU.

The European Commission announced on the 30th (local time) that it has decided to build up to seven "AI gigafactories" within Europe to train AI models and has begun a call for bids to provide public funding.

AI gigafactories are large-scale facilities equipped with cutting-edge, high-performance special semiconductor chips designed to train next-generation AI technologies, particularly large language models (LLMs).

These facilities will be built by combining cutting-edge AI processors, software, cloud technology, ultra-high-speed networks, and data centers into a single entity.

This measure is interpreted as part of the EU's strategy to strengthen "tech sovereignty" by reducing foreign dependence on cloud services and semiconductor supplies.

Due to high interest from member states, the EU decided to increase the number of AI gigafactories from the originally planned five to seven, and plans to attract at least 20 billion euros, or about 33 trillion won, in private investment for this project.

Accordingly, the total scale of the project is expected to reach about 300 billion euros, or 50 trillion won.

Henna Virkkunen, the EU executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, emphasized in a statement, "As AI development accelerates, access to the massive computing power provided by AI gigafactories is strategically essential for Europe."

The EU plans to close the bidding in November and select the final operators early next year.

The EU expects the facilities to begin operations by the middle of 2028.

Politico Europe reported that as concerns grow over the massive power and water consumption of data centers amid the global AI boom, the EU's plan may also face backlash from local communities.

Regarding this, an official from the European Commission said, "We plan to require bidders to submit documents detailing how they will implement the technology in a sustainable and energy-efficient manner."