BERLIN – Germany and France on Thursday launched a project to set up a European cloud computing platform that they hope will enhance European economic sovereignty in the wake of the coronavirus crisis and break the continent's dependence on U.S.
and Chinese companies. The platform, entitled GAIA-X, is meant to be up and running — at least in prototype form — at the beginning of next year and be open to users from outside Europe that commit to adhere to European standards.
German Economy Peter Altmaier said that the aim is “nothing less than a European moonshot in digital policy.” Germany and France will set up a non-profit association to coordinate and organize the data infrastructure, Altmaier said.