NEWS
Amazon Web Services has announced the general availability of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, a new cloud environment designed to meet the European Union’ s most stringent digital sovereignty requirements.
The new cloud is fully located within the EU and is physically and logically separate from other AWS Regions.
The AWS European Sovereign Cloud launches with its first AWS Region in Brandenburg, Germany, and will expand across Europe with new sovereign AWS Local Zones planned for Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The expansion is intended to support in-country data residency, strict data isolation and low latency needs for governments and regulated industries.
Amazon said it plans to invest more than € 7.8 billion in Germany to support the sovereign cloud, backing an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs annually and contributing an estimated € 17.2 billion to Germany’ s GDP. Additional investments
AWS launches European sovereign cloud, expands footprint across EU
are planned as the footprint expands to other EU countries.
AWS said the European Sovereign Cloud is operated entirely by EU-based staff with no operational control outside EU borders. All customer data and metadata including identity management, billing and usage metering remain within the EU. The platform uses the AWS Nitro System and advanced encryption to enforce strict security controls.
Stéphane Israël, Managing Director, AWS European Sovereign Cloud, said the initiative gives European customers access to advanced cloud and AI services while maintaining full control over sensitive data.
The platform will initially offer more than 90 AWS services and has already been adopted by public sector and regulated industry customers across Europe.
EU invests over € 307m to boost AI and digital sovereignty
The European Union is investing over € 307 million to strengthen artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies as part of its drive to boost competitiveness and technological sovereignty.
The European Commission has opened two new funding calls under the Digital, Industry and Space cluster of the Horizon Europe Work Programme, allocating € 307.3 million to support innovation across the EU.
Of the total, € 221.8 million will back projects focused on trustworthy artificial intelligence, advanced data services and safeguarding EU strategic autonomy. The funding will support development of AI services aligned with the Apply AI Strategy and will also cover robotics, quantum technologies, photonics and virtual worlds. More than € 40 million is earmarked for the Open Internet Stack Initiative, which will develop end user applications and core stack technologies to reinforce European sovereign digital commons.
A further € 85.5 million has been assigned to a second call aimed at strengthening open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging technologies and in raw materials. This call will prioritise next generation AI agents, robotics for industrial and service use and new materials with enhanced sensing capabilities.
According to the Commission, the calls are intended to drive sustainable innovation while positioning Europe as a global leader in strategic digital technologies. The investment aligns with the Competitiveness Compass, the EU’ s framework for long term economic resilience.
The Digital, Industry and Space cluster, known as Cluster Four, is designed to accelerate leadership in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Funding opportunities are open to businesses, public authorities and research organisations globally. www. intelligentcio. com
INTELLIGENT CIO EUROPE
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