Artificial intelligence is the superpower of our time. We use it to create, work, make decisions, and even delegate parts of our daily lives. But as Uncle Ben told Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility. And right now, who really wields that power?
Today, the AI race is dominated by a handful of private companies, with the United States and China splitting most of the spoils. OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Baidu, Alibaba—these private giants are building the future of artificial intelligence. Europe, on the other hand, risks remaining a mere spectator. Does it make sense to leave such a powerful technology in the hands of companies that answer only to their shareholders? Perhaps the time has come to consider a public AI—an artificial intelligence managed by a state or an international consortium, aiming for the collective good instead of profit alone.
In recent months, some of Europe’s leading scientists—including Nobel laureate Giorgio Parisi—have proposed an ambitious idea: creating a “CERN for Artificial Intelligence.” This public research center, funded by various states, would develop AI technologies in a transparent way, accessible to all, without depending on Big Tech. Over 3,000 scientists and researchers have signed on, and the proposal even reached European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
A state-run AI would ensure that technology is used for society’s benefit, rather than solely for profit. Right now, Europe is completely dependent on the United States and China for AI models. A public infrastructure would reduce that vulnerability. Private companies do drive innovation, but they always have an economic interest. A public AI could focus on long-term breakthroughs without commercial pressures. With a state-run AI, citizens and businesses alike could access AI models without paying exorbitant licensing fees to Big Tech.
Of course, such a project would be expensive. According to a report by the International Center for Future Generations, this kind of infrastructure would require an initial investment of €31.5 billion. That’s a large sum, but not impossible to achieve if shared among European countries. For context, Europe spent almost twice that amount on COVID relief. And no one questioned the importance of that funding. So why not invest in an infrastructure that could determine our technological and economic future?
We now face a paradox: while governments scramble to regulate AI, private companies forge ahead, developing ever more powerful models. OpenAI has already announced an AI that “thinks” like a human, and Google is creating increasingly sophisticated artificial agents. Are we sure we want to leave the future in the hands of those whose only goal is maximum profit? Isn’t it time for an AI that serves the interests of citizens rather than a corporate board? Perhaps a state-run AI isn’t a pipe dream. Perhaps it’s the only way to avoid becoming digital subjects ruled by those who control the technology.
