The race for artificial intelligence has become one of the most determining fronts of economic geopolitics. However, Europe seems trapped in a dilemma: either follow the pace set by the United States and China in large cloud models, or find its own terrain where it can establish rules, generate industry and gain autonomy. Edge AI—the artificial intelligence that runs directly on Edge devices, such as smartphones or IoT sensors—represents, in my opinion, one of Europe’s last real assets to avoid being relegated to the status of mere consumer of other people’s technology.
The dominant narrative revolves around massive cloud models, managed by giants like OpenAI, Google or Baidu. Its investment power and privileged access to data make it almost impossible for the EU to compete in that league. But history is not written: on the margins of this technological revolution, an alternative with high strategic potential emerges. Edge AI allows data to be processed in real time, without depending on large external data centers, which reduces costs, improves security and, above all, strengthens digital sovereignty.
The project EdgeAI-Trust, funded by Horizon Europe and Chips JUis an example of how Europe is trying to take a step forward. Led by TTTech Auto and with more than 50 partners—including Spanish companies and universities—it seeks to lay the foundations for an industrial ecosystem around this technology. The goal is not just to develop prototypes, but to demonstrate that Europe can coordinate dispersed capabilities and turn them into marketable solutions. And here is the first lesson: cooperation can be, in itself, a competitive advantage over more centralized and vertical models such as those of the United States or China.
Now, it is not enough to coordinate. If there is one thing that distinguishes the US, it is its ability to transform research into business, while China combines massive public investment with a strategy of global standardization. Thus, Europe runs the risk of remaining in the intermediate phase: brilliant projects that never reach the market. EdgeAI-Trust has the opportunity to demonstrate that European consortia not only generate reports, but also transform companies, products and jobs.
The economic implications of this bet are clear. For European industry—automotive, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture— Edge AI means reducing dependence on external suppliers, reduce transmission costs and comply with data regulations without friction. But there is more at stake: we are talking about shielding the competitiveness of entire sectors.
If a European manufacturer needs to rely on the American or Chinese cloud to power its robots or connected cars, its room for maneuver will be reduced not only by technical but also by political issues.
It is not a theoretical risk. The trade competition between the US and China has shown the extent to which technological control can become a geostrategic weapon. Europe, if it does not accelerate, could find itself trapped between two giants that set prices, standards and pace of innovation. With Edge AI, the EU has a window to lead in an area where the proximity between data, processes and regulation can become a competitive advantage. But that window won’t be open for long.
The strength of the United States lies in its ability for technology startups to scale in a few years to become global leaders. That of China, in its discipline to integrate industrial objectives into its State policy. Europe, on the other hand, sometimes disperses into pilot projects that end up dying in committees. EdgeAI-Trust It has the potential to be different, but only if it manages to move from prototypes to the market, from good intentions to global standards.
The lesson is clear: Europe cannot aspire to compete in everything, but it can aspire to lead in strategic areas. The Edge AI is one of them. It requires sustained investment, public-private cooperation and, above all, political courage to focus on specific sectors instead of dispersing efforts. In exchange, Europe would gain digital autonomy, protecting its productive fabric and guaranteeing growth driven by innovation.
The question is no longer whether Edge AI will become a pillar of the digital industry, but rather who will set the rules of the game and who will benefit from them. Europe has a real opportunity to lead in this area. But if you don’t take advantage of it, there will be no second chances.
*** Raúl García Crespo is PMO at Solver IA