Europe moves to strengthen tech sovereignty

The European Commission adopted a tech sovereignty package on 3 June 2026 aimed at strengthening the EU’s ability to develop and control critical digital technologies, data and infrastructure. The package includes the Chips Act 2.0, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the EU Open Source Strategy, and a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy.

The initiative responds to Europe’s reliance on non-EU countries for over 80% of key digital products, services, infrastructure, and intellectual property. The Commission links reduced dependency to economic strength, security, long-term competitiveness, open and fair digital markets, protection of citizens’ rights and democratic processes, and future technological leadership.

The EU’s broader approach spans AI, infrastructure, data, open source, market regulation and cybersecurity. The AI Continent Action Plan focuses on 5 key areas, including computing infrastructure, data, skills, adoption and simplification, while the Digital Decade sets targets for 2030 across infrastructure, skills, business digitalisation and public services. Other measures include semiconductor policy, quantum technology, connectivity rules, data access frameworks, platform obligations, competition rules for gatekeepers, and cybersecurity requirements for digital products and ICT supply chains.