The EuroStack Initiative is not just a policy framework. It is a call to action for a united Europe to take control of its digital destiny.
Europe not only desperately needs to invest in defense. It is also desparetely need to invest in its digital infrastructure to become sovereign and independent from the US and China. Over 80% of Europe’s digital infrastructure and technologies are imported, creating systemic vulnerabilities and hampering the region’s capacity for innovation and self-reliance. These are the wording of report from the EuroStack initiative ‘EuroStack – A European Alternative for Digital Sovereignty.’
The initiative addresses the challenges of being over-reliant on players like the US by providing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, secure essential resources, and build a resilient and forward-looking digital ecosystem. At the core of the EuroStack blueprint is a digitally sovereign Europe built on interconnected layers of advanced technologies, ranging from semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) to cloud computing and quantum systems. Despite a lot of talk for de-regulation in the wake of the Draghi report, this approach prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and interoperability, ensuring Europe’s digital future aligns with its democratic values, social equity goals, and economic aspirations.
One of the driving forces behind the EuroStack movement, Cristina Caffarra, wrote in January ‘We have to get to work and put Europe first. But we are late. Terribly late:’
“The term ‘EuroStack’ is meant to represent that we have to think in layers (or stacks). So not only look at where the headquarters of social media companies, for example, are located, but also at the layers below; the data centers, the cables, the chips and the clouds. Only if you cultivate serious European players in all those areas can you be somewhat independent.”
Artificial intelligence, AI, is an area where the EuroStack initiative sees a lot of opportunity across all sectors, from manufacturing and healthcare to public services and energy management. By investing in sovereign AI ecosystems, Europe can unlock efficiencies, create smarter public services, and promote indigenous innovation that aligns with European values of transparency, accountability, and privacy, the report states.
“With 70% of foundational AI models developed in the United States, and China rapidly expanding its share, Europe must focus on fostering homegrown AI capabilities. AI is a strategic enabler that
powers data-driven decision-making, optimizes industrial processes, and accelerates research and development. By creating sovereign AI platforms and federated data spaces, the EuroStack initiative aims to reduce dependencies on foreign providers, protect intellectual property, and position Europe as a leader in public interest AI.”
Europe First
A main message int the report is Europe First.
“Given the significant imbalances and dependencies Europe faces, the EuroStack initiative adopts a ‘Europe-first’ approach. As a matter of principle, this entails purchasing European solutions, with exceptions only when justified by a clear, objective assessment of the risks for strategic autonomy in the short and long run.”
Behind the EuroStack initiative are: Audrey Tang, former Digital Minister of Taiwan, Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, Francesca Bria, Professor of Innovation in the Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose, UCL London, economist Cristina Caffarra, Alexandra Geese MEP, and Kai Zenner European Parliament.
For years, at DataEthics we’ve have been advocating using European tech whenever there was alternatives to US or Chinese tech. So many European services have been closed down due to lack of users. It can be hard to ‘walk the talk’ and eg not use Google Maps or Facebook Messenger but HereWeGo and Signal or Wire. For example, DataEthics changed from the non-GDPR-compliant MailChimp to French Mailjet many years ago – only to find out that French Mailjet used Google Cloud. Then, we found a Dutch newsletter service, but before we changed to that from Mailjet, it was sold to Twitter.
Fortunately, many European services have survived. And DataEthics has kept a list of alternatives for individuals (digital self-defense) and companies. Four years ago, we also did a Guide to European Cloud Solutions. A lot of people in Europe want to boycut US goods and services because of Trump, Vance, and Musk. It will be interesting to see if the many intentions will transfer into actions, so European tech services will grow.
Individual action is very fine. But it is far far from enough. If we want a data democracy in Europe, where neither the state nor big tech are in control of our data and lives (but we individuals are) we must make a huge effort. Similarly to the climate movement, we need both individuals, companies, organisations, and governments to chip in. Especially the public sector has a responsibility to show the way.
As part of an expert group on big tech, we advised the Danish government to go in the same direction as EuroStack; Buy and use European products and services whenever possible, as we need to develop and grow a digitally independent infrastructure, where Europe is in full control. See the Danish report on digital infrastructure.
