Artificial intelligence – a subject that’s practically part of our daily lives now and yet still manages to spark excitement, fear, and unlimited curiosity. In recent years, we’ve been witnessing a fierce tech race. OpenAI, Google, Meta, Anthropic – all competing to create increasingly advanced AI models, breaking every benchmark they can find. The pressure to be “the first” is relentless. And what do all these players have in common? They’re American giants. Meanwhile, snapping at their heels is Chinese competition, like DeepSeek, shaking up the AI landscape.

So, where does Europe fit into all this? While we’re not yet in the same league as these global behemoths, we’ve got our own rising stars. Take Mistral AI from France, for example. Their flagship model, Le Chat, has jaw-dropping speed, outclassing most of its competitors. Sure, it’s not breaking all the records yet, but it’s showing immense promise. At Made in Europe, we’ve already transitioned fully to Le Chat – not just because it works, but because every euro spent supporting European innovation helps drive our future. And this is just one example – other startups like Aleph Alpha or Frag Das ODG are also making their mark, carving out space with more niche offerings but incredible dedication.

Now, the big question: why should we care about supporting homegrown AI? First, as always, data. Entrusting European providers with our information means keeping it safe under the gold standard of GDPR. Second, profits. Why should every cent we spend on AI tools line the pockets of overseas giants when we’ve got solid solutions right here? Supporting European providers isn’t just smarter economically – it’s investing in our own tech sovereignty. And third, the trade wars aren’t slowing down. In the face of rising global tensions, building our digital independence is simply the wise thing to do.

Of course, transitioning from the well-polished tools of American corporations won’t be a walk in the park. The scale comparison can sting, and benchmarks sometimes look prettier on paper. But hey, as the old saying goes: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Europe is only getting started in this race – wouldn’t you want to be part of the movement that takes us further?