Europe is stepping into a bold new era where artificial intelligence meets cutting-edge research.
At the European AI in Science Summit in Copenhagen, organised by the European Commission alongside the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the launch of RAISE – the Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe – marked a historic moment.
This pioneering virtual institute is designed to accelerate scientific discovery across the continent, harnessing AI to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from advancing cancer therapies and predicting earthquakes to addressing environmental crises.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, explained: “In Europe, we are strongest when we join forces to pursue a common goal.
“This spirit of collaboration lies at the heart of the RAISE initiative, where leading scientists from across Europe bring together diverse disciplines and perspectives to conduct excellent research on and with AI.”
RAISE: Europe’s flagship initiative for scientific innovation
RAISE is a cornerstone of the European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science and the Apply AI Strategy.
By consolidating Europe’s AI resources, including computational power, data, funding, and talent, RAISE aims to drive frontier AI research and its practical application in science.
The pilot phase is backed by €107m under the Horizon Europe programme, underscoring the EU’s commitment to placing science and technology at the heart of its economic and technological strategy.
Strengthening Europe’s leadership through AI science
RAISE will function as a virtual European institute, providing researchers and innovators with priority access to AI ‘Gigafactories’ and high-performance computing through collaboration with the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking.
The institute will also support scientists in identifying data gaps, curating critical datasets, and integrating these resources to enhance AI-driven research outcomes.
Investing in talent and research excellence
Central to RAISE is the development of scientific talent. The pilot allocates €75m to Networks of Excellence and Doctoral Networks to train and retain top AI and scientific professionals.
Meanwhile, the European Commission plans to double Horizon Europe’s annual investment in AI to over €3bn, including a significant increase for AI in science research, reinforcing Europe’s global leadership.
Building a collaborative European AI science community
The Summit also unveiled the first step of the RAISE pilot: a Coordination and Support Action for “Facilitated Cooperation for AI in Science,” funded with €3m.
This initiative aims to link the European AI science community and lay the foundation for the institute’s broader development.
Alongside this, a new European Research Area (ERA) action will coordinate Member States’ efforts to accelerate AI adoption in research and science.
A phased approach for sustainable impact
RAISE will grow in phases to keep pace with rapid innovation and evolving needs.
After the pilot, the European Commission will collaborate with Member States, research institutions, universities, and the private sector to expand the institute under the next long-term EU budget (2028–2034).
Governance, pooled resources, and long-term sustainability will ensure that RAISE continues to evolve alongside scientific and technological advancements.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, added: “With RAISE we are starting a community to promote scientific excellence, and to tackle the most critical challenges of our era, in health, climate and beyond.
“RAISE will develop powerful AI models and apply them across scientific disciplines – from life sciences to humanities and more.
“It will strengthen our competitiveness and ensure that the EU remains at the forefront of AI and science, making this a powerful argument to Choose Europe.”
Redefining the future of European AI science
With RAISE, Europe is reimagining the landscape of scientific research. By fusing AI with fundamental research, the EU aims to drive breakthroughs that improve lives, advance knowledge, and reinforce Europe as a global hub for innovation.
This initiative signals a transformative approach to AI science, setting the stage for a new era where artificial intelligence empowers discovery and scientific progress across the continent.
