SAP CEO Christian Klein has issued a rallying cry for Europe to bolster its AI infrastructure in response to the recent announcement of the US-backed Stargate Project.
The initiative, a $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence, has attracted attention due to its scale and backing from key players such as OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. Led by the Trump administration, the project has been described by Klein as a “wake-up call” for Europe, urging the continent to follow suit and invest in AI technologies that can enhance its global competitiveness.
Klein emphasized that Europe, with its diverse industries and technological potential, is in dire need of such a comprehensive push in AI development. He pointed out that while Europe often criticizes its regulatory landscape and the multitude of AI acts in place, the Stargate Project serves as a model for how collaboration and investment can drive innovation in the sector.
“It’s the right move, and it’s also about making the government more productive,” Klein said.
He referenced the role of governments in fostering AI growth.
“Europe needs it the most, from my perspective,” he added.
Klein noted the continent’s potential to apply AI across various industries like manufacturing, automotive, and chemicals to boost competitiveness on the global stage.
Despite the evident need for such a project, Klein identified one key challenge for Europe: ownership and governance. He argued that the biggest barrier to launching a similar initiative, dubbed “Stargate Europe,” is deciding who would lead the charge.
“Who actually gives the order to say we digitize Europe, we digitize our agencies, and we are not doing it in silos, we are doing it as a union,” Klein explained.
He stressed that European countries often prioritize their own domestic AI development over collaborative market scaling.
Klein’s comments come as European businesses and governments are under pressure to strengthen their digital ecosystems. The challenge is not necessarily a lack of capital but finding a unified approach that can ensure the growth and sustainability of AI technologies across Europe.
As a leading figure in the European tech space, SAP’s CEO expressed his full support for a similar initiative in Europe, echoing his belief that the continent should form a unified approach to AI that would allow smaller companies and startups to scale more effectively.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the US project, Klein added, “We need more boldness, more willingness, more courage” in Europe’s approach to AI. This, he believes, would involve collaboration between both the private sector and policymakers to create the necessary frameworks that would allow businesses to thrive in the evolving tech landscape.
CNBC and Business Insider contributed to this report.
