Finland Supports Nokia’s Bid to Bring EU AI Gigafactory to Nordic Region

Finland Supports Nokia’s Bid to Host EU AI Gigafactory

The Finnish government has officially endorsed a proposal led by Nokia to establish one of the European Union’s upcoming AI gigafactories in Finland. This follows the European Commission’s launch of the InvestAI initiative, which aims to generate €200 billion in investments focused on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

The InvestAI programme plans to build up to five AI gigafactories across EU Member States. Nokia, heading a business consortium, submitted its expression of interest earlier this year, and Finland has now confirmed its support for the bid.

Project Overview and Investment Structure

The proposed AI gigafactory would serve as a large-scale infrastructure hub dedicated to developing, training, and deploying advanced AI models. Preliminary plans indicate that private partners will cover approximately 65% of the investment and all operational costs, ensuring the project is commercially sustainable.

Benefits for Finland

The Finnish government views this project as a strong opportunity to promote sustainable economic growth and technological advancement within the country. Finland’s expertise in data science, research, startups, and emerging technologies such as quantum computing provides a solid foundation for AI leadership.

Additionally, Finland’s clean energy infrastructure and availability of land make it a practical location for hosting such a large facility. The country is already home to LUMI, one of Europe’s first AI-focused computing centers, and officials expect potential collaboration between the new gigafactory and LUMI.

EU-Wide Context and Next Steps

The initiative is intended to be commercially driven while supporting broader strategic goals at both the EU and national levels. The European Commission is expected to publish the full call for proposals in 2025. So far, 76 applicants from across Europe have submitted expressions of interest, though details remain confidential.

Finland is open to regional cooperation, inviting partnerships with neighboring Nordic and Baltic countries as it develops the next phase of the gigafactory proposal. Discussions with the Commission and selected applicants are scheduled to begin soon.

• Key Highlights:
  • Finland backs Nokia-led AI gigafactory bid under EU InvestAI initiative
  • Project focuses on AI model development, training, and deployment
  • 65% of investment expected from private partners
  • Finland’s clean energy and tech expertise strengthen bid
  • Collaboration potential with existing LUMI supercomputing facility
  • Commission to release full call for proposals in 2025
  • Open to regional partnerships with Nordic and Baltic states

This development marks a significant step for government stakeholders interested in advancing AI infrastructure and investment opportunities within the EU. For those looking to understand AI initiatives and investments in Europe, staying informed on the InvestAI programme will be essential.

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