Vienna relies on digital sovereignty: the way to Europe's cloud future!

Vienna relies on digital sovereignty: the way to Europe's cloud future!

Wien, Österreich - On July 4, 2025, the City of Vienna brings a pioneering statement on the digital infrastructure into European legislation. Digitization Councilor Barbara Novak emphasizes that the initiative of the European Commission for the development of a modern cloud and AI infrastructure is of crucial importance for the future digital sovereignty of Europe. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen competitiveness, sovereignty and sustainability of the EU in the field of digital computing capacities and AI.

The central challenge lies in the consolidation of the fragmented test and approval processes that currently inhibit innovations and investments. Different standards and regulations in the individual member states slow the progress. In order to counteract this, Vienna calls for a strict, practical set of rules that are supposed to smash national test procedures. This would include an EU cloud certification authority with a uniform EU seal that bundles the central aspects of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NIS2.

uniform standards for digital sovereignty

Vienna advocates a harmonized framework for standardizing the audits, which should not only reduce costs, but also increase planning security for companies. Novak emphasizes the need for sustainable, sovereign and innovation -friendly digital infrastructure that facilitates investments. The desired motto "Certified Once, Accepted Everywhere" for cloud providers without additional tests should significantly reduce the bureaucracy.

Another central topic is the strengthening of innovative ability. Vienna plans the settlement of an AI gigafactory that should contribute to the creation of modern production capacities and thus to create jobs of the future. This step should not only strengthen the Vienna business location, but also make an important contribution to the competitiveness of the European digital industry.

room for constructive impulses

The city wants to help shape European legislation practical, efficiently and sustainably. As part of the EU initiatives in the field of digital infrastructure, reference is also made to the importance of artificial intelligence. Especially in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and tourism, AI can significantly increase the competitiveness of European companies.

As early as 2021, the Commission presented a proposal for the regulation of AI, which provides for risk classification for AI systems. These regulations could be the first of its kind worldwide and are still the focus of negotiations between the European Parliament and the Member States. The aim is to create a legal framework that promotes trust and ethical standards while at the same time supported innovative developments.

The success of AI development in Europe strongly depends on an effective European data strategy. It is urgently called for European data rooms and massive data infrastructure to optimally use the potential of industrial and public data for companies and researchers.

Overall, it becomes clear that the city of Vienna, together with the European Commission, addresses that now is the right time to set the course for a digital Europe. All the more important are common European efforts in order to be able to build digital sovereignty that promotes innovation and competitiveness in the age of digitization. Vienna reports that these approaches are crucial for future digital landscape. This is supplemented by the evaluation of the need for uniform rules, as is explained under Digitales Vienna . The strategic considerations of the European Parliament, which are supposed to shape digital change, can also be found at