Europe's technological sovereignty will depend on its ability to empower regions to deploy artificial intelligence, strengthen digital infrastructure and support innovation ecosystems that benefit citizens, businesses and local communities, members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) stressed during an exchange of views with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, ahead of the July plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.
The discussion focused on Europe's digital competitiveness, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, data centres and innovation. Members underlined that Europe must move beyond regulating technology and instead create the conditions for innovation to flourish across all regions by investing in digital infrastructure, supporting startups and ensuring that local and regional authorities play a central role in delivering Europe's technological ambitions.
Opening the debate, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stressed that Europe's technological sovereignty must be rooted in its territories. "Europe's technological sovereignty will not be built only in capitals or large industrial centres. It must be built in our regions, through digital innovation hubs that help SMEs and public authorities understand, adopt and benefit from AI and new technologies." She highlighted the role of Europe's Digital Innovation Hubs in translating innovation into economic growth. "Our 200 digital innovation hubs across Europe's regions are essential bridges between innovation and real economic transformation. They help SMEs turn artificial intelligence from an abstract concept into practical tools for productivity, services and growth."
Members agreed that strengthening Europe's digital infrastructure must go hand in hand with stronger territorial governance. Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, called for data centres and AI factories to deliver tangible benefits for the communities that host them. "Data centres must be a win-win for Europe, for innovation and for the people living in the territories where they are located. They cannot be seen only as infrastructure for profit or AI development; they must also bring tangible benefits to local communities." He added: "Europe needs data centres and AI factories to remain technologically competitive, but they must be developed in a way that is fair and beneficial for the territories that host them. Local communities should not be left to carry the burden of higher energy demand, water use or infrastructure pressure. These facilities must be powered by additional clean energy, planned together with local and regional authorities, and designed to give something back to citizens — for example by reusing waste heat for schools, districts and public buildings. Data centres must be a win-win: for innovation, for Europe's sovereignty, and for the people living in our cities and regions."
Commissioner Virkkunen echoed the importance of involving regions in planning Europe's digital infrastructure. "As Europe increases its data centre capacity, regions and local authorities must be part of the planning. The location of new data centres matters: they need access to energy, they must be energy-efficient, and they must respect environmental and territorial realities."
The debate also focused on Europe's innovation ecosystem and the need to accelerate the deployment of AI across the economy. Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal, stressed that Europe must build greater public confidence in artificial intelligence while connecting AI factories, data centres and startup ecosystems to strengthen Europe's competitiveness.
Markku Markkula, Chair of the CoR Working Group on Green Deal Going Local and member of the Espoo City Council, underlined that Europe must now move from strategy to implementation. Drawing on discussions with research institutions and industry, he argued that research and innovation are fundamental to Europe's competitiveness, energy transition and climate objectives, while calling for stronger support to help innovative startups scale up across Europe's regions.
Members also called for a more balanced debate on digital infrastructure. Jorge Azcón, President of the Government of Aragon, Spain, highlighted the opportunities data centres create for Europe's regions. "Data centres should not be presented only as a problem. For regions, they can mean investment, quality jobs, technological capacity and future competitiveness. Europe needs a more balanced debate: one that recognises environmental responsibility, but also the enormous opportunity data centres bring for regional development and technological sovereignty."
Commissioner Virkkunen also highlighted the strategic role of public authorities in strengthening Europe's digital ecosystem. "Public administrations are major customers for ICT services. The way local, regional and national authorities organise procurement can give a powerful boost to Europe's digital ecosystem by valuing not only price, but also resilience, sovereignty and European added value."
She concluded by emphasising that technological sovereignty depends on the active contribution of Europe's cities and regions.
"Local and regional authorities are not just users of technology. They are strategic actors in Europe's technological sovereignty, through procurement, digital innovation hubs, SME support, data infrastructure and the deployment of AI in public services."
Background
The exchange of views took place during the meeting of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions ahead of the July 2026 plenary session. Discussions focused on Europe's technological sovereignty, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, cloud infrastructure, data centres and the role of local and regional authorities in delivering the European Union's digital transformation. The debate highlighted the importance of Digital Innovation Hubs, strategic digital infrastructure and place-based innovation ecosystems in strengthening Europe's competitiveness.