EU revises rules to boost deployment of AI Gigafactories

The Council of the EU has approved changes to the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) rules to allow the setting up of AI Gigafactories and to include quantum technologies.

The changes, which were approved by the Council on 16/01/2026, allow for the development and operation of AI gigafactories and will foster cooperation through public-private partnerships, including member states and industry stakeholders. The changes also set rules for funding and procurement.

AI Gigafactories are large data centres (rather than bricks-and-mortar buildings) designed to help EU researchers and scientists make maximum use of AI technology.

EuroHPC aims to develop and maintain supercomputing, quantum computing, and data infrastructure in the EU, while also supporting the growth of high-performance computing (HPC) systems, technologies and skills for European science and industry. The EuroHPC regulation was amended in 2024 to include the development and operation of AI Factories. The Commission's proposed second amendment, introduced on 15/07/2025, builds on this by…