China’s lead in open-source AI models shows that Europe needs to work more closely together technologically. TransformIT Europe 2026 is the meeting place to shape joint strategies for genuine digital sovereignty.
By Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle; Photo: Markus Spiske via Unsplash
The global competition in the field of generative AI continues to gain momentum. A recent study by MIT in collaboration with the startup Hugging Face shows that, for the first time, more downloads of new open-source AI models worldwide come from China than from the USA.
Models from Chinese providers accounted for 17% of all global open model downloads last year, overtaking US corporations such as Google, Meta and OpenAI, which together accounted for less than 16%.
This development marks a new strategic turning point in the international AI race – and sends a clear signal to Europe.
China Focuses on Openness – USA on Control
While US companies largely keep their most advanced AI systems closed and license them commercially, Chinese providers are deliberately promoting open publishing approaches. One reason for this is the limited access to high-performance GPUs due to US export regulations.
The Chinese government is therefore actively encouraging its technology companies to make open models available in order to broadly enable innovation. According to analyst Wendy Chang, open source is now more firmly anchored in the mainstream in China than in the USA.
What does this mean for Europe?
The data underlines how quickly the global balance of power is shifting in AI technology. This results in three central fields of action for Europe.
- Strengthen digital autonomy: Europe is still highly dependent on non-European models – mostly from the USA, but increasingly also from China. In order to remain competitive in the long term, the EU needs significantly more of its own AI development capacities.
- Intensify EU-wide cooperation: National silos slow down progress. Europe needs joint AI research initiatives, interoperable data spaces, open standards and a cooperative public procurement practice.
- Network companies and research: The diversity of open models opens up opportunities for European start-ups, research institutions and industrial companies to quickly advance their own solutions – provided that appropriate infrastructure and talent development are in place.
Transform IT Europe: AI as a Key Topic
The central importance of AI for Europe’s digital future is clearly reflected in the program of TransformIT Europe. Artificial intelligence is one of the most important focus topics of the trade fair and conference.
In May 2026, leading IT decision-makers, technology providers, research institutions, politicians and innovators from all over Europe will come together in a common framework at TransformIT Europe. This is exactly where the space is created to:
- initiate European collaborations
- define strategies for digital autonomy
- evaluate open AI models
- and build future innovation partnerships.
Europe must act with confidence, strengthen digital sovereignty and form its own innovation alliances. This is how a strong European AI ecosystem can be created.
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