The Race to Build the DeepSeek of Europe Is On (www.wired.com)

AI labs in Europe are intensifying efforts to close the gap with their U.S. counterparts, driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions and a desire for technological independence. Currently, U.S. companies dominate the AI landscape, outpacing European firms in areas such as processor design, data center capacity, and model development. European leaders have committed significant funds to reduce reliance on American AI technologies, drawing inspiration from the success of the China-based AI lab DeepSeek, which demonstrated that model innovation can sometimes outweigh resource advantages. This shift in mindset is urging European researchers to adopt open-source collaboration, where shared models can be refined collectively, potentially accelerating their development. The push for "digital sovereignty" raises questions about the extent to which Europe aims to achieve self-sufficiency in AI, with varying opinions on the necessary policies and strategies. While some advocate for protective measures to support domestic companies, others argue that open markets should remain a priority to promote choice and innovation. Despite the uncertainty, there is a prevailing belief that European labs can still compete effectively with U.S. leaders, as highlighted by projects like SOOFI, which aims to develop a competitive general-purpose language model within a year. As the landscape evolves, fostering a collaborative and transparent approach may prove essential for Europe to redefine its position in the global AI race.