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DigiTimes
the cost gap that policy cannot paper over
The EU is facing a formidable challenge in AI compute capacity, hosting just 5% of the global total compared to the US's dominant 75%. With McKinsey forecasting a surge in demand for European data centers, expected to increase from 10 GW of IT load in 2024 to 35 GW by 2030, the gap between the US and EU in AI infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. This disparity raises concerns about the EU's competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
MonitorConfidence: MediumMid term horizonExecution risk: High
Published 25 Jun 2026, 10:20 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- EU holds only 5% of global AI compute capacity.
- US dominates with nearly 75% of AI compute resources.
- European data center demand projected to triple by 2030.
- Shift in demand driven almost entirely by AI technology.
- Growing concerns over the EU's competitiveness in AI.
Interesting facts
- The EU's AI compute capacity is projected to grow significantly due to an increase in data-driven applications.
- The disparity highlights potential regulatory and investment challenges for the EU.
Coverage gaps