EU Commission launches online platform to boost AI uptake across Europe
The European Commission has launched the AI-on-Demand platform to support artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, businesses, and public sector organisations across Europe. The platform introduces a collection of tools aimed at promoting the development and deployment of trustworthy AI. Key features of the platform include an AI marketplace, a low-code development environment, and secure solutions for generative AI and large language models. These features are designed to benefit both academic researchers and industry participants, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by providing access to datasets, computing resources, and ready-to-use AI modules tailored to specific sector needs.
The platform will act as a central access point to the EU’s common AI toolbox, aligning with the objectives outlined in the AI Continent Action Plan launched in early April. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, emphasised that “this platform will empower our dynamic industries and pool of top talent to harness the full potential of trustworthy European artificial intelligence.” The Commission is actively encouraging AI developers to register their tools on the platform to enhance their visibility and connect with enterprises seeking deployable solutions.
Commission to withdraw anti-greenwashing directive
The European Commission has announced its intention to withdraw the Green Claims Directive, a legislative proposal introduced in March 2023 that aimed to prevent companies from misleading consumers with unverified environmental claims. This decision came after pressure from the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the Parliament, which considered the proposal to be overly complex and administratively burdensome. The withdrawal of this proposal is not entirely surprising, as the EU executive has been pushing for competitiveness since it took office in December 2024.
The announcement has generated immediate confusion among EU officials. The Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which is currently leading trilogue negotiations on behalf of Member States, stated that talks would proceed as scheduled unless a formal withdrawal is confirmed. Similarly, Sandro Gozi, a French MEP from the centrist Renew group and one of the lead negotiators in Parliament, clarified that the Parliament had not requested an end to negotiations and that the decision to continue lies with the rapporteurs, not the political groups. The EPP welcomed the Commission’s announcement, viewing it as a response to their concerns, while the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) labelled the decision as a “breach of interinstitutional trust.”
The Green Claims Directive was designed to complement existing EU consumer protection rules by requiring companies to substantiate specific environmental claims, such as the use of recycled materials. If the withdrawal is confirmed, it would be an unusual move and must still be formally approved by the College of Commissioners. Such withdrawals typically occur only when a legislative compromise is impossible or when the original goals of a proposal are no longer attainable.
2025 Digital Decade report stresses further advances in digital infrastructure and skills
The 2025 State of the Digital Decade report highlights progress toward reaching the 20230 targets contained in the Digital Decade policy programme. Although there have been advances in areas like the adoption of AI, cloud computing, and big data by businesses, as well as in the digital transformation of public services, the deployment of fibre and 5G networks is lagging, and only 55.6% of Europeans have basic digital competencies.
The lack of skilled ICT professionals, particularly women, continues to impede advancements in essential fields such as cybersecurity and AI. Additionally, the report highlights larger issues, including market fragmentation, complicated regulations, and reliance on non-EU suppliers. The report calls for immediate and decisive actions to bridge these gaps, pointing out that enhanced digital performance could significantly enhance the EU’s GDP, and encourages Member States to work with the Commission’s recommendations to achieve the 2030 targets.
The EU Commission launches ambitious International Digital Strategy
The Commission has launched its new International Digital Strategy to boost Europe’s digital uptake in the current geopolitical context. The strategy emphasises the EU's role as a trustworthy and cooperative digital partner, while also enhancing its own technological competitiveness, particularly in AI and key emerging technologies. In particular, the Strategy aims to deepen existing Digital Partnerships and Dialogues and launch a new Digital Partnership Network to improve tech resilience and security for both the EU and its partners.
The plan will focus on areas including AI Factories, secure connectivity, Digital Public Infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Moreover, the Strategy advocates for global digital standards aligned with EU values such as human rights, democracy, and social inclusion. The initiative follows an April 2024 EU Council call for stronger EU leadership in digital affairs and a public consultation in May 2024 gathered input from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, industry, civil society, and citizens.
