German Firms Submit Rival Bids for EU AI Data Centre
Deutsche Telekom, Ionos, and the Schwarz Group’s IT subsidiary have decided to submit competing applications to the European Union (EU) for the development of an AI data centre, following a breakdown in talks over a joint proposal.
These major German companies, prominent players in the tech and telecommunications sectors, will now pursue separate bids for the project, as reported by Tagesspiegel newspaper.
SAP Excludes Itself from the Project
Software giant SAP has chosen not to participate in the initiative, further adding to the fragmentation of the bidding process. This decision was confirmed by the Tagesspiegel report, which noted that SAP would not be involved in the forthcoming data centre applications.
Expression of Interest: First Step in the Process
According to Reuters, the companies have submitted an "expression of interest," which marks the initial phase in the EU’s selection process for the AI data centre project.
A spokesperson for Ionos, a web-hosting company involved in the bid, explained that this step allows the European Commission to define the next stages. The formal application process will occur in the autumn, with further details being shaped based on the expression of interest submissions.
Potential for Future Collaboration
Although the companies are currently submitting separate applications, there remains the possibility that they could join forces during the selection process for the AI data centres. Tagesspiegel reported that collaboration between the firms might still be considered at a later stage, once the Commission evaluates the expressions of interest.
Also read: Rescale Partners with NVIDIA to Power Industrial AI in Europe
Next Steps in the Selection Process
With the autumn approaching, the focus will shift to the official applications, where the EU will evaluate the potential bids for the AI data centre project. The project is part of Europe’s broader effort to build stronger digital infrastructure and enhance capabilities in artificial intelligence.
