EU's Von der Leyen urges European push on AI-driven cars

TURIN (Reuters) -European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Friday for a continent-wide push to develop self-driving cars, saying artificial intelligence could help revive the region's struggling automotive sector and improve road safety.

Speaking at the Italian Tech Week in Turin, Italy's automotive hub, von der Leyen urged the European Union to adopt an "AI first" strategy across strategic industries, with a focus on mobility.

"Self-driving cars are already a reality in the United States and China. The same should be true here in Europe," she said, adding that "AI first" also meant "safety first".

Her remarks come as Brussels seeks to bolster industrial competitiveness, while local automakers struggle to keep up with foreign technology development, particularly by China and the United States.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Turin-based Ferrari and Stellantis Chairman John Elkann were also among the speakers at Italian Tech Week.

Von der Leyen proposed forming a network of European cities to pilot autonomous vehicles, saying 60 Italian mayors had already expressed interest.

"Let us make it happen," she added.

The EU chief also pledged the bloc's support for developing vehicles "made in Europe, and made for European streets".

The automotive industry, which employs millions across Europe, is transforming rapidly amid pressure to decarbonise and digitise. Von der Leyen said AI could help reduce congestion, link remote areas to public transport, and preserve jobs.

"The future of cars – and the cars of the future – must be made in Europe," she said.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari and Elvira Pollina; Writing by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)