16/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 16 January, the Council of the European Union definitively adopted the amendment to the EuroHPC Regulation, broadening its objectives to facilitate the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) “gigafactories” in Europe and including a pillar dedicated to quantum technologies (see EUROPE 13766/6). The amended regulation enables the development and operation of AI “gigafactories” in Europe, by promoting public-private partnerships, and sets out rules for financing and public procurement. The Council has also introduced safeguards into the text for the participation of third countries. The Commission claims to have already received a “considerable” number of proposals since the initiative was launched at the beginning of the year. The call for expressions of interest for actual projects to set up these factories will not be officially opened until around January or February next year. The text will take effect as soon as it is published in the Official Journal of the EU. (IS)