What does the EU’s ‘AI Continent’ mean for health?

The EU’s Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Henna Virkunnen has announced two major initiatives aimed at accelerating Europe’s leadership in artificial intelligence: the Apply AI Strategy and the AI in Science Strategy.

“Today’s package is another vital step in making Europe a true AI Continent,” Virkunnen said.

The strategy takes a sector-by-sector approach and will focus on addressing specific needs of businesses and administrations.

“In healthcare, we will create a network of AI powered advanced screening centres, to speed up AI powered diagnosis making in hospitals and bring services to remote areas,” said Virkunnen.

The flagships are listed below, but include measures to deploy AI in healthcare and an AI drug discovery challenge. There is a lack of detail, leaving many questions, particularly on resources for implementation.

The Strategy also encourages a ‘buy European AI' approach, especially for the public sector. The aim is to support European open-source AI solutions. For those developing AI tools there will be an AI Act Service Desk and a ‘Compliance Checker’, which will guide companies through regulatory requirements.

Strengthening AI in science

Complementing this is the 'AI in Science Strategy', it’s central project, RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe), will have two pillars: advancing core AI capabilities and promoting the use of AI across different scientific fields.

RAISE can already be seen in the draft work programme for health in the Horizon programme for 2026-2027, with funding for developing technologies and digital solutions. For example, funding is foreseen for the use of virtual human twins to assist in clinical decisions for prevention and diagnosis. 

Both strategies emphasize talent development, with AI literacy training for workers and incentives to attract world-class researchers.

The proposals are aligned with the development of the European Health Data Space and the Life Sciences Strategy.

Health flagships

European network of AI-powered advanced screening centre to accelerate the introduction of innovative tools for prevention and diagnosis (Q2 2027)

European Networks of Expertise on AI Deployment in Healthcare to consolidate guidelines and best practices. It will deliver deployment playbooks (Q4 2027)

Launch of an AI drug discovery challenge for potential new drugs, the winner of the challenge would receive dedicated access to AI Factories capacity and advice on how to bring their discoveries to the market (Q4 2026)

Streamline and speed up access for medical devices (2026)

Collaboration in key areas such as primary care and chronic disease management for the development and scale up of equitable AI in Healthcare (Q4 2027)

Support scaling up of trustworthy AI in cardiovascular health and AI for prevention (Q4 2025)

Accelerated uptake of virtual human twins (VHTs) and related innovative AI, by facilitating ecosystems (Q4 2026)

EU guidance for on AI in pharmacovigilance and for other regulatory activities (Q4 2026)

Funding to boost the availability and quality of health data for AI innovation (Q4 2027)

Support for the deployment of AI agents for healthcare professionals in different domains, including for administrative tasks (Q2 2026)

Fostering the next generation of AI solutions for biomedical research and drug development (Q2 2026)

Apply AI Strategy

AI in Science Strategy