The European Fee has proposed an open-source-first method for public-sector cloud and AI software program procurement as a part of a broader digital sovereignty push aimed toward decreasing reliance on overseas know-how suppliers.
The European Fee has unveiled a sweeping technological sovereignty bundle that locations open supply on the centre of its efforts to scale back dependence on overseas know-how suppliers and strengthen Europe’s management over essential digital infrastructure.
On the coronary heart of the proposal is the Cloud and AI Growth Act (CADA), which might require public administrations to provide desire to open-source options when procuring cloud and AI software program. The transfer elevates open supply from another choice to a strategic procurement precedence throughout the European public sector.
The bundle additionally introduces a devoted open-source technique targeted on increasing open-source adoption in authorities, enhancing interoperability between public digital techniques, supporting the long-term upkeep and safety of open-source infrastructure, and fostering open digital ecosystems.
The Fee famous that the EU presently spends €264 billion yearly on non-European proprietary software program and goals to scale back this dependence by encouraging open ecosystems and European options. Examples highlighted embrace EUDI Pockets and Mastodon.
Below CADA, member states could be required to conduct sovereignty danger assessments protecting digital service management, provide chains, AI information processing, infrastructure location, and cybersecurity. The laws additionally seeks to curb “sovereignty washing,” the place overseas cloud suppliers market companies as impartial European choices via intermediaries.
In delicate sectors reminiscent of defence and demanding infrastructure, authorities might be required to make use of European software program and {hardware}, whereas €180 million in companies could be directed in the direction of trusted EU companions.
“Europe can not afford to be depending on others for essential applied sciences for hospitals, vitality grids, and safety companies,” mentioned Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Fee.
Henna Virkkunen, Govt Vice-President of the European Fee, described the initiative as “a historic systemic shift away from a mere client function in the direction of a shaping function.”