A new Accenture study reveals that European organizations are accelerating their shift toward sovereign AI, emphasizing control over data, infrastructure, and local talent. This move reflects growing concerns around data privacy, geopolitical instability, and dependence on foreign technology providers.

Europe’s Sovereign AI Push Gains Momentum

According to the research, 62% of European organizations are actively seeking sovereign AI solutions—an approach that allows countries to build and operate AI systems using local infrastructure and data to ensure security and autonomy. The appetite for sovereignty is highest in Denmark (80%), Ireland (72%), and Germany (72%), particularly across highly regulated sectors such as banking (76%), utilities (70%), and public services (69%).

The trend is set to accelerate. Over the next two years, 60% of organizations plan to increase investments in sovereign AI technologies, with Germany, Italy, and Switzerland leading the charge.

The European AI Paradox

“Europe is facing an AI paradox,” said Mauro Macchi, Accenture’s CEO for EMEA. “Leaders recognize AI’s potential for innovation and growth, yet much of the technology originates outside the region. Sovereign AI resolves this tension by protecting critical operations while maintaining competitiveness.”

Macchi emphasized that sovereignty should not hinder progress but rather fuel a thriving, innovative European tech ecosystem capable of competing globally.

Balancing Control and Collaboration

Accenture’s survey found that only 36% of AI initiatives currently require full sovereignty due to regulatory or data sensitivity concerns. However, organizations are cautious about cutting ties with non-European providers—65% admit they can’t remain competitive without them, while 57% plan to combine European and non-European solutions for a hybrid approach.

This highlights a pragmatic shift: sovereignty is not about isolation but strategic control. As Mauro Capo, Accenture’s Digital Sovereignty Lead for EMEA, explained, “Sovereign AI isn’t about holding everything locally. It’s about choosing how much control to apply across data, infrastructure, and models, depending on the use case and national priorities.”

From Risk Mitigation to Competitive Edge

Despite rising awareness, only 19% of organizations currently view sovereign AI as a competitive advantage. Most—48%—see it as a compliance-driven necessity. Moreover, just 16% have elevated AI sovereignty to a CEO or board-level concern.

Accenture’s findings suggest a mindset shift is needed. Sovereign AI should be seen as a strategic growth enabler, not merely a regulatory safeguard. Encouragingly, 73% of organizations believe governments and institutions such as the European Union must play a stronger role through policies, funding, and infrastructure investment.

Building a Hybrid Ecosystem

Accenture’s ongoing projects highlight this evolving landscape. The company is collaborating with Telia Cygate to help Swedish enterprises deploy secure, scalable AI systems and partnering with Amsterdam-based Nebius, an AI cloud provider, to support clients in building localized sovereign AI factories that meet data residency standards. Nebius’s infrastructure—featuring custom hardware, proprietary software, and energy-efficient data centers—serves as a model for sustainable, regionally anchored AI deployment.

The Path Forward: Four Steps to Sovereign AI

To help organizations capture the full potential of sovereign AI, Accenture recommends four key actions:

1. CEO Ownership – Make sovereign AI a C-suite priority, aligning it with risk, innovation, and growth strategies.

2. Reframe Sovereignty – Treat sovereignty as a competitive differentiator, not just a compliance checkbox.

3. Expand the Ecosystem – Build hybrid partnerships that balance local trust with global innovation.

4. Redefine Architecture – Embed sovereignty across every layer—data, infrastructure, models, and applications—for resilience and adaptability.

As Europe strives to build a secure and self-sufficient digital future, sovereign AI stands at the intersection of innovation, trust, and control. Those who treat it not as a limitation but as a lever for growth may well define the next era of European technological leadership.

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