At the Italian Tech Week in Turin, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Europe’s automotive sector to adopt an “AI-first” strategy to catch up with the United States and China in autonomous vehicle development. Von der Leyen stressed that an AI-led approach must also be “safety first,” warning that without decisive action Europe risks falling behind in the global mobility transformation.
Europe lagging behind the U.S. and China
The president highlighted striking contrasts: in the United States, Waymo has surpassed 100 million miles of fully autonomous driving and provides over 250,000 weekly rides across five cities, while Tesla runs experimental robotaxi services in Austin. In China, five companies operate around 2,300 robotaxis across 30 cities, and Chinese EV brands already hold about 10% of the European market, despite the EU’s import tariffs.
A European network of pilot cities
To reverse the trend, von der Leyen proposed creating a network of European pilot cities to test and certify autonomous vehicles. She revealed that the European Commission will offer direct support.
“Let’s make it happen. We want cars built in Europe, designed for European roads.”
Europe’s car industry employs millions but faces structural change—decarbonization, digitalization, and global competition. Von der Leyen argued that AI could be a decisive ally: improving safety and urban mobility, reducing congestion, linking remote areas to public transport, and helping preserve jobs.
She told a high-profile audience, including figures such as Jeff Bezos and John Elkann, that AI could help Europe retain industrial leadership rather than lose it.
The AI Act and the regulatory landscape
Von der Leyen’s appeal comes as the AI Act—the EU’s comprehensive AI regulation—begins its phased implementation through 2027. The law sets binding rules for AI across sectors, including mobility. Although Level 3 autonomous driving has been legally permitted in Europe since July 2022, adoption remains limited compared with the U.S. and Asia. Von der Leyen argued that the challenge is not only regulatory but also strategic: Europe needs a shared industrial vision combining innovation, safety, and technological sovereignty.
