Spain Invests €719 Million in AI Gigafactory, Seeks EU InvestAI Funding
Spain's Strategic Investment in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure
Government Funding and Objectives
MADRID, June 16 (Reuters) - Spain has allocated €719 million ($834 million) towards building an AI gigafactory to try to reduce its dependence on foreign technology and ensure AI development complies with European regulations, the government said on Tuesday.
Shareholding and European Commission Proposal
• The investment will make the government a shareholder in a company set up to submit Spain's bid for the European Commission's call for proposals for its InvestAI initiative, which could provide further funding.
Multi-Site Bid: Catalonia and Madrid
• Spain will submit a multi-site bid that includes locations in Catalonia and Madrid.
Goals for Advanced Computing and Innovation
Boosting Local Competitiveness
• The project aims to provide Spain and Europe with advanced computing capacity, and help local companies innovate and boost their competitiveness, the government said.
Access for Spanish Scientists
Infrastructure for Research and Development
• Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez said the investment in high-performance computing would ensure Spanish scientists get access to infrastructure that is costly and in short supply. ($1 = 0.8620 euros)
(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga; Editing by Barbara Lewis)
