IPCEI Compute Infrastructure Continuum Next-generation edge computing

The progress in the development of artificial intelligence is enormous. To ensure its competitiveness, the European Union (EU) must create an environment in which data processing, connectivity, cloud, AI and software providers can develop and sufficient capacities and innovative services can be created for users from industry, science, the public sector and citizens. This also requires securing digital sovereignty.

This is also part of the European Commission's „​AI Continent Action Plan“, which aims to make the EU a global technology leader in the field of AI. In the Action Plan of April 9, 2025, the European Commission identifies five main task areas in which special efforts are required: Computing infrastructure, high quality data, AI algorithms, AI talent development and AI regulation. The IPCEI-CIC particularly addresses the area of computing infrastructure - with a focus on distributed data processing (edge computing). The Commission will therefore support the implementation of the IPCEI-CIC. It is complementary to the IPCEI-AI, which is part of the AI algorithms field of action.

The IPCEI-CIC aims to establish a sovereign and distributed computing continuum in Europe. This will be based on a common architecture for many different providers and will be used for both AI and cloud solutions. Thanks to the distributed architecture, AI models can be trained, used and further developed close to where the data is generated. This enables, for example

• applications that need to be implemented in real time,
• training and optimization of smaller AI models that do not require large data centers, such as ​AI factories and AI gigafactories,
• additional computing capacities in the area for mobility requirements (autonomous driving, logistics, railroads),
• applications with a particularly high level of protection for the processed data.

It will also be necessary to be able to connect different edge infrastructures with each other and enable cross-border operation in Europe. To this end, the IPCEI-CIC will use the reference architecture and software components that are already being developed in the IPCEI Cloud as part of the ​8ra umbrella initiative.

A total of 15 member states are currently participating constructively in shaping the content of the IPCEI-CIC. They have finalised a common ​project description. The aim is to carry out an expression of interest procedure before the end of 2025. Promising project ideas will then be further developed into an integrated overall project at European level, which must be approved by the European Commission.

It is also planned to combine the IPCEI-CIC with the IPCEI Cloud and the IPCEI Artificial Intelligence in a holistic approach as part of the 8ra umbrella initiative, which will be approved in 2023.

At the 8th Friends of Industry Conference on November 3, 2025, in Berlin, the ministers of economic affairs from 17 member states signed the Berlin Declaration. This declaration identifies the fast and bold implementation of the IPCEI-CIC and the IPCEI-AI as a key measure to boost productivity and competitiveness of Europe.

Information on details of the program and funding procedures of the respective Member State (MS) can be obtained via the national points of contact: