Do We Need a CERN for AI?

Europe is at a crossroads in AI. A new vision calls for coordinated investment, talent programs, and research infrastructure

 

In a pivotal moment for Europe's technological future, Bernhard Schölkopf advocates for a bold and coordinated investment in artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of security, independence, and innovation. Europe must act now or risk missing its final chance to compete globally in one of the most defining technologies of our time.

At the heart of this vision stands ELLIS, a grassroots initiative that has quietly become Europe's leading network for AI research. Built on principles of scientific excellence and international collaboration, ELLIS connects top institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, ETH Zurich and ten competitively selected sites in Germany alone.

Among these, ELLIS Munich plays a central role. With Professor Fabian Theis, Science Director at HelmholtzAI and part of the ELLIS coordination team, the Munich unit contributes pioneering research at the intersection of AI and biomedicine. Theis and his team exemplify how cutting-edge science can fuel both discovery and innovation-driven ecosystems. ELLIS Munich is a model for how fundamental research can translate into societal impact.

German policymakers now have the opportunity to make a clear commitment to excellence and initiate a European renaissance in and with AI. For the German ELLIS locations, this includes:

  • Creating a multinational network of ELLIS Institutes, modeled after CERN (for physics) and EMBL (for molecular biology), in partnership with key countries.
  • Investing in large-scale computing infrastructure and fostering local research ecosystems that enable fast translation from research to startups.
  • Launching international ELLIS Fellowships to attract outstanding global scientists, especially as talent flows shift worldwide.
  • Expanding the pan-European ELLIS PhD Program, already one of the most competitive globally with 4,000+ applicants, into a world-leading doctoral training platform.
  • Establishing tenure-track ELLIS Fellowships to retain top graduates in European research and academic institutions.
  • Setting up favorable legal and financial frameworks to support AI startups, including legal clarity, a pragmatic AI Act, investment incentives and dedicated funding mechanisms.

Germany now has the chance to lead by investing in excellence and strengthening the foundations for Europe’s technological sovereignty.

This text is based on Bernhard Schölkopf’s article “Brauchen wir ein CERN für KI?” — read it in full here.