EU Launches AI Continent Action Plan with Google and Microsoft Advancements

The European Union has launched its AI Continent Action Plan, aiming to establish itself as a leading AI continent by simplifying rules, investing in infrastructure, and promoting green AI. The plan includes mobilizing €200 billion in AI funding, creating a network of AI factories and gigafactories, and developing European-made AI semiconductors. Meanwhile, tech companies like Google and Microsoft are making significant advancements in AI, with Google upgrading its Code Assist AI coding assistant and Microsoft offering free AI skills training. Other notable developments include the launch of new AI tools and infrastructure for scientific research, significant funding for AI startups, and investments in AI education and research initiatives.

EU Launches AI Action Plan

The European Union has launched its AI Continent Action Plan to establish itself as a contender in the global AI race. The plan aims to narrow the technological gap with the US and China by developing AI gigafactories, data labs, and promoting green AI. The EU has committed to mobilizing €200 billion in AI funding and creating a network of AI factories and gigafactories. The plan also includes the creation of an AI Act Service Desk to help businesses comply with the EU's AI regulations.

EU Reconsiders AI Rules

The European Union is signaling that it is open to reworking its AI rulebook, which was launched just last year. The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, is seeking to simplify the rules and make them easier to obey. The move comes amid pressure from the tech industry and the US administration, which has urged the EU to ease up on regulating AI. The Commission is launching a consultation on possible simplification of the AI Act and is considering cutting some reporting obligations to make life easier for businesses.

EU Unveils AI Plan

The European Union has unveiled a plan to become a leading AI continent by simplifying rules and investing in infrastructure. The plan, known as the AI Continent Action Plan, aims to transform Europe's traditional industries and talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration. The EU will create a new AI Act Service Desk to help regional firms comply with its landmark AI law and will invest in AI factories and gigafactories to drive innovation.

EU Invests in AI Gigafactories

The European Union is investing €20 billion in AI gigafactories as part of its plan to catch up with the US and China in the AI race. The EU will build up to five gigafactories, which will be equipped with supercomputers and data centers to drive AI innovation. The investment is part of the EU's AI Continent Action Plan, which aims to establish the EU as a leading AI continent. The EU is also seeking to develop European-made AI semiconductors and will launch a consultation on simplifying its AI rules.

Google Upgrades Code Assist

Google has upgraded its Code Assist AI coding assistant with new 'agentic' capabilities. The upgrade allows Code Assist to deploy new AI agents that can take multiple steps to accomplish complex programming tasks. The agents can create applications from product specifications, migrate code, and perform other tasks. Code Assist is now available in Android Studio and other coding environments, and the free version will come with Gemini 2.5, a more advanced AI model.

Google Code Assist Review

Google Code Assist is a programming power tool that may finally be the solution developers need. The tool has been upgraded with Gemini 2.5, a more advanced AI model, and now offers agent capabilities that can help with tasks across the software lifecycle. The free version of Code Assist is available and offers a range of features, including the ability to generate new software and migrate code. However, the tool is not without its limitations, and users should be aware of its potential drawbacks.

Microsoft Offers Free AI Training

Microsoft is offering free AI skills training for all, with a 50-day AI Skills Fest that includes courses, prizes, and discounts. The training is open to all skill levels and covers topics such as generative AI and data analytics. Microsoft is also offering a 50% discount on its GitHub Copilot certification exam, and users can register for the training through the Microsoft AI Skills Fest website.

Google Cloud for Scientific Research

Google Cloud is launching new tools and infrastructure for scientific research, including supercomputing-class infrastructure and AI-powered science applications. The tools are designed to help scientists accelerate discoveries and include features such as advanced search and discovery tools and AI agents that can help generate new hypotheses. Google Cloud is also introducing a new high-performance, fully managed parallel file system and is partnering with researchers to develop new AI models and applications.

Solve Intelligence Raises $12M

Solve Intelligence, a startup that uses generative AI to speed up intellectual property and patent workflows, has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round. The company's product is used by 200 IP teams across the US, Europe, and Asia, and it plans to use the funding to scale its product, hire staff, and open a new office in New York. Solve Intelligence's AI-powered document editor helps attorneys with patent drafting, office action response, and other tasks, and the company is partnering with investors such as Microsoft and Thomson Reuters to expand its offerings.

Protect AI CTO Wins Award

Badar Ahmed, the CTO of Protect AI, has been named a winner of the prestigious Product 50 Awards for his exceptional leadership and vision in AI security. Protect AI is a company that provides AI security solutions, and Ahmed has spearheaded the development of its market-first products. The award recognizes Ahmed's ability to innovate groundbreaking AI security solutions and his commitment to securing AI systems from cyber threats.

St. Thomas University Launches AI Ethics Network

St. Thomas University has launched a new Artificial Intelligence Research & Ethics Network (AIREN) to promote ethical AI use worldwide. The network will feature a free, publicly searchable research database and an Ethical AI Labeling Program to evaluate the transparency, efficacy, biases, and benefits of AI software. The university is partnering with AI ethics experts and scholars worldwide to develop the network and create a comprehensive collection of research resources.

AI Security Engineer Career Guide

AI Security Engineers are experts who protect AI systems from cyber threats and ensure data integrity. The role requires a strong technical foundation, knowledge of AI and machine learning, and cybersecurity skills. To become an AI Security Engineer, one should build a tech foundation, learn key programming languages, deepen their understanding of AI and machine learning, gain cybersecurity expertise, and learn AI-specific security concepts. The career path offers a promising future, with a growing demand for skilled professionals and a competitive salary range.

University at Buffalo Invests in AI Department

The University at Buffalo is investing in a new department focused on AI and its social impacts. The department, called 'AI and Society,' will explore the effects of AI on society and develop new AI technologies. The university is investing $5 million in the department, which will be launched this fall as part of the Empire AI initiative. The department will focus on the people impacts of AI, rather than just the technology itself, and will include faculty members from various disciplines.

NexGen AI Startup Raises $45M

NexGen, a British AI startup, has raised $45 million in new funding, valuing the company at $350 million. The startup provides cloud solutions for AI and has seen significant growth in revenue, from $3 million in 2023 to $20 million last year. NexGen plans to use the funding to develop its infrastructure services, launch new products, and expand its partnerships. The company believes it can carve out a space for itself in the AI market, particularly in Europe, where regulation is becoming increasingly important.

Key Takeaways

The European Union has launched its AI Continent Action Plan to become a leading AI continent.
The plan aims to mobilize €200 billion in AI funding and create a network of AI factories and gigafactories.
Google has upgraded its Code Assist AI coding assistant with new 'agentic' capabilities.
Microsoft is offering free AI skills training for all, with a 50-day AI Skills Fest.
The EU is reconsidering its AI rules, seeking to simplify them and make them easier to obey.
Google Cloud is launching new tools and infrastructure for scientific research, including supercomputing-class infrastructure and AI-powered science applications.
Solve Intelligence, a startup using generative AI for intellectual property and patent workflows, has raised $12 million in Series A funding.
St. Thomas University has launched an Artificial Intelligence Research & Ethics Network to promote ethical AI use worldwide.
The University at Buffalo is investing $5 million in a new department focused on AI and its social impacts.
NexGen, a British AI startup, has raised $45 million in new funding, valuing the company at $350 million.