The U.S. government has blocked European access to its most advanced AI models, including the latest from OpenAI and Anthropic, highlighting how deeply Europe relies on American technology and policy decisions. In response, Austria's State Secretary for Digitalization, Alexander Pröll, has proposed luring Anthropic to the EU by offering legal certainty, market access, and capital grounded in European values. Pröll argues that relying on foreign AI models is not a tool but a dependency, as Europe's access to top-tier innovation now hinges on a handful of U.S. policymakers. 'A technology you don't produce yourself and can only use with permission is not a tool. It is a dependency,' Pröll wrote in a letter to EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, according to the Austrian Kronen Zeitung. The letter calls for a review of Anthropic's potential relocation, though it is unlikely the Commission will act on it. The initiative is seen as an act of desperation from an EU that has built up dependency over 20 years of digital policy failures, not just the last five.
Pröll points to Anthropic's philosophy as a reason for the proposal, noting that the company prioritizes ethical AI use over speed. 'Anthropic is a company that views the ethical use of AI not as a marketing ploy, but as a core conviction,' Pröll wrote. However, the move is considered unrealistic given Anthropic's patriotic alignment and the Trump administration's retaliatory posture. The company, which has already faced scrutiny over its use in U.S. military applications, is unlikely to relocate to Europe despite its values-driven image. OpenAI, Anthropic, and others rely on European revenue to fund their operations, giving Europe some leverage in negotiations, though it is limited. China is seen as an alternative, but it merely swaps one dependency for another, as Chinese models could also face export restrictions or licensing changes in the future.
The situation underscores the need for Europe to build its own AI infrastructure and achieve real sovereignty. While Chinese open-source models may offer short-term alternatives, they come with their own risks, including potential geopolitical tensions and long-term dependency on Beijing. Real sovereignty, according to the source, requires Europe to develop its own AI models and infrastructure, rather than relying on any single region or company. The U.S. would need its own open-source push to counter China's growing influence in AI, but for Europe, the goal is to break free from both Washington and Beijing by creating its own independent AI ecosystem.
Source: thedecoder
