Europe will become the exchange point of global AI — If digital infrastructure keeps pace

Artificial intelligence is pushing network infrastructure to its limits. More connected devices, cloud services, and AI applications are driving rapid growth in data volumes worldwide, with forecasts putting global data at 181 zettabytes in the near future. This surge demands faster, more resilient, and more efficient digital backbones.

The piece argues that Europe could become a central exchange point for global AI traffic, but only if its digital infrastructure keeps up. That means investing in modern networks, data centers, and cross-border connectivity, and aligning policy with technical needs. Without this, Europe risks falling behind other regions that move faster to upgrade their core infrastructure and capture the economic value of AI-driven data flows.