Europe's AI Sovereignty: IONOS Solution

AI Sovereignty in Europe

Artificial intelligence is being called a defining technology, much like the internet was in the 1990s. Currently, the AI sector is mainly controlled by tech companies from the US and China. These giants establish the norms, manage the infrastructure, and set the conditions. While tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek are well-known, they have drawbacks such as unclear algorithms, uncertain data handling, and legal frameworks that don't align with European standards. For a long time, European organizations have been compelled to utilize these overseas platforms. However, with rising geopolitical tensions and stricter data regulations, this choice is becoming increasingly precarious.

The US CLOUD Act still grants US authorities access to data stored by US providers, even within European data centers. Furthermore, the EU's AI Act mandates that AI systems be transparent, understandable, and GDPR compliant, which presents a challenge for numerous US-based systems. Achim Weiß, the CEO of IONOS, notes that control over basic technologies like AI is essential for maintaining sovereignty.

IONOS AI Model Hub

IONOS, a leading European cloud provider, provides the IONOS AI Model Hub as a robust platform for generative AI. This platform is GDPR compliant, developed and operated within Germany, and offers complete transparency. It utilizes well-known open-source models like Llama 3.3, Mistral, and Teuken-7B. IONOS does not utilize user data for model training, ensures no hidden data transfers to other countries, and prevents access by US intelligence agencies. The IONOS AI Model Hub provides total transparency and control, unlike proprietary US AI systems that are often opaque. Oliver Hessel, an AI expert at IONOS, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure in data sovereignty.

Partnership with Nextcloud

IONOS is partnering with Nextcloud, a popular open-source collaboration platform in Europe, to simplify access to secure AI. The AI Model Hub integrates directly into the user interface. This integration enables organizations, educational bodies, and public authorities to utilize image, translation, and text processing capabilities without compromising data protection and while maintaining full visibility into data usage. This combination of open-source technology, European infrastructure, and security certifications marks a major advancement in the AI field. IONOS aims to be the preferred choice for those looking to implement AI securely, strategically, and responsibly.

IONOS GPT: A European Alternative

IONOS is introducing IONOS GPT, a European alternative to ChatGPT, built upon the IONOS AI Model Hub and operated and developed in Germany. This platform can process code, text, images, and research, tailored for specific business applications, all while upholding political independence and data protection. This represents a significant advancement, enabling companies to leverage generative AI without the strategic dependencies and legal uncertainties associated with US providers. The IONOS AI Model Hub and IONOS GPT demonstrate Europe's ability to compete technologically and lead ethically. IONOS provides full sovereignty, traceability, and openness, contrasting with vendor lock-in and black-box algorithms. It's designed for Europe's economic, legal, and social needs and offers a price-performance ratio that is up to 50% more affordable than US hyperscalers, eliminating sudden price increases, licensing complexities and hidden expenses.

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Contributed by IONOS.