By Ingo Hoffmann

English Summary 

While headlines are dominated by large language models, Europe’s greatest AI opportunity lies in real-world industrial applications. In his t3n column, Ingo Hoffmann, Founding Partner of AI.FUND, highlights how the continent’s strengths, deep industry expertise, strong SMEs, and rigorous regulation, are powering a new wave of AI transformation.

Examples include Siemens and Microsoft’s Industrial Foundation Model (IFM) and the partnership between Mindpeak and Zeiss in medical imaging. These show how “Vertical AI”, tailored, sector-specific solutions, can boost productivity and generate real business value. Europe’s high standards for privacy and safety, often seen as hurdles, may become exportable advantages in a world moving toward more regulation.

However, challenges remain: fragmented markets, funding gaps, and regulatory uncertainty. To compete globally, Hoffmann argues, Europe must build a harmonized digital single market and double down on applied AI.

To find out more, read the full article by Ingo Hoffmann on t3n.