US Shuts Down Access to Anthropic AI Models, Sparks European Calls for Sovereign AI

The US government’s abrupt shutdown of global access to Anthropic’s AI models on Friday has sent shockwaves through Europe, reigniting calls for sovereign AI infrastructure. For the first time, Washington exercised what has been dubbed a 'kill switch,' cutting off foreign reliance on American AI technology. This move has underscored Europe’s strategic vulnerability due to its heavy dependence on US AI systems, prompting urgent calls for technological independence.

Europe’s Technological Dependency

According to the European Commission and Parliament, the EU relies on non-EU countries for over 80% of its technology and 70% of its cloud computing. With the US and China controlling 90% of global AI computing infrastructure, Europe has struggled to build competitive AI capabilities. The Anthropic shutdown has laid bare the risks of this dependency, particularly as US policy under President Donald Trump has been increasingly unpredictable, ranging from sudden tariffs to demands for territorial concessions.

Push for Sovereign AI

European leaders have responded swiftly. Former French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe likened AI to critical infrastructure, emphasizing that reliance on foreign systems leaves nations vulnerable to disruption. Politicians across Europe, including Finnish MEP Aura Salla and German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, have called for accelerated development of indigenous AI models and infrastructure. France’s Mistral AI, though lagging behind US counterparts, is seen as a key contender, with reports of a $3.5 billion funding round underway.

'A nation that depends on others for its technology is a nation that can be unplugged overnight,' said Bruno Retailleau, a French presidential candidate.

National Security Implications

In the UK, the shutdown has raised alarms about national security. Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat warned that modern warfare hinges on AI capabilities, with advanced models increasingly deployed in drones, cyber defenses, and counter-drone systems. UK Minister for AI Kanishka Narayan stressed that AI capability is now central to national security assessments.

The Anthropic shutdown has laid bare the geopolitical stakes of AI dominance, compelling Europe to confront its technological reliance and prioritize sovereign AI development.