Several calls for large collaborative AI research projects have employed a “CERN for AI” framing, invoking a similar strategy and goals to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), which shifted the centre of gravity of fundamental physics from the US towards Europe after World War II.

Von der Leyen’s invocation of CERN indicates that the Commission is seriously considering proposals calling for €100 billion over five to seven years, more than the Commission’s entire seven-year research budget for Horizon Europe, which is €95.5 billion.