EU plans for five AI gigafactories take a step closer after ministers agree to revise supercomputer rules

EU research ministers have cleared the way to setting up AI gigafactories by agreeing on a change to the regulation on the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU).

Speaking after the decision was taken by ministers on 09/12/2025, Christina Egelund, the Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science, who chaired the meeting, said that it would allow the EU to establish five new AI gigafactories.

The amended regulation also allows for unused EU funds to be redirected to AI Gigafactory projects and facilitates the creation of multi-site gigafactories across multiple countries.

Ministers also added to the text safeguards for third-country participation and updates to the governance structure of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking to reflect its expanded role.

The agreement transfers quantum research and innovation activities from the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme to EuroHPC JU activities to strengthen efforts in this critical technology.

AI gigafactories are large-scale facilities combining high-performance computing, energy-efficient…