EU Action Plan on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence: Europe invests in secure AI and new research infrastructures

The European Commission has presented a new EU Action Plan on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Its objective is to strengthen Europe's digital resilience while accelerating the development and deployment of trustworthy AI. For universities, research organisations, companies, start-ups and SMEs, the action plan signals important opportunities: by the end of 2026 and throughout 2027, the EU plans to launch new Horizon Europe calls, establish European AI testing and evaluation infrastructures, and introduce additional investment instruments for deep-tech and AI innovation.

The action plan responds to the growing importance of advanced AI models for cybersecurity. While artificial intelligence can significantly improve cyber defence capabilities, it also creates new security risks that require robust safeguards. The European Commission therefore pursues a dual objective: fostering innovation while ensuring that Europe's digital infrastructure remains secure, resilient and trustworthy.

New opportunities for research and innovation

Although many of the measures are currently presented as strategic initiatives, the action plan already outlines a clear roadmap for future funding and infrastructure that will be highly relevant to Europe's research and innovation community.

Among the announced measures are:

• New Horizon Europe calls supporting research and innovation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
• A European AI Evaluation Infrastructure to assess advanced AI models for safety, robustness, reliability and potential risks.
• European testing platforms for AI cybersecurity, enabling researchers and companies to develop, validate and test AI-based cybersecurity solutions under realistic conditions.
• Improved access to AI Factories and EuroHPC supercomputers, providing researchers and innovative businesses with the computing resources needed to develop and train advanced AI models.
• New investment instruments for deep-tech and AI companies to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling of innovative technologies.
• The planned German-French "European Frontier AI Initiative", designed to strengthen Europe's global leadership in frontier AI research and innovation. 

Strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty

The action plan forms part of the European Union's broader strategy to reinforce technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in critical digital technologies. It complements existing initiatives such as the AI Act,, the Cyber Resilience Act, the NIS2 Directive and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) by adding new research, innovation and investment measures.

Together, these initiatives aim to position Europe as a leading location for the development, testing and deployment of secure, trustworthy and high-performance artificial intelligence.

What does this mean for researchers and businesses?

For universities, research organisations, companies, innovative start-ups and SMEs, the action plan provides an early indication of the topics that are expected to receive increased support over the coming years. Organisations that begin developing project ideas and building international consortia now will be well positioned to benefit from the upcoming Horizon Europe calls and related European funding opportunities.

Are you planning a research or innovation project in artificial intelligence or cybersecurity? BayFOR supports you in identifying suitable EU funding opportunities, building international partnerships and preparing successful Horizon Europe proposals.

Dr. Alexander Christian Widmann
Team Coordinator and Scientific Officer Social Sciences and Humanities | Security and Defence Research 
Phone: +49 89 9901888-162
Email: widmann@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org

Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Dan Gutu
Scientific Officer Information & Communication Technologies |
Engineering & Natural Sciences
Phone: +49 89 9901888-136
Email: gutu@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org