Breaking news

AxeleraAI: A Boost For Europe’s AI Ambitions With A $66 Million EU Grant

AxeleraAI, a pioneering force in Europe’s tech landscape, has secured a significant boost with a newly awarded grant of up to 61.6 million euros ($66 million) aimed at revolutionizing AI chip technology for data centers. This pivotal investment aligns with the European Union’s strategy to enhance its competitiveness in the global AI arena against powerhouses like the United States and China.

Europe’s Strategic Move In AI Development

With funding channeled through EuroHPC, Europe is laying the groundwork for advanced AI infrastructures, including the construction of AI factories, which will serve as innovation hubs accessible to scientists and companies across the continent. AxeleraAI aims to develop an efficient chip for ‘inference’ processes, crucial for deploying robust AI models, while steering clear of direct competition with entrenched players like Nvidia.

Titania Chip: The Next Frontier

Set to be built on the open-source RISC-V standard, the upcoming Titania chip promises enhanced performance and a cost-effective solution for expanding AI applications beyond traditional norms. This potential shift coincides with the emergence of cost-efficient AI models like China’s DeepSeek, further driving global demand for inference computing.

Past Achievements and Future Prospects

AxeleraAI’s journey, bolstered by investments from giants like Samsung, underscores a burgeoning ecosystem of innovation. Their existing chip, Metis, is already making waves in “edge AI” applications, proving indispensable in varied industrial landscapes.

The AI landscape is evolving, and with strategic moves like these, Europe—and Cyprus within it—is poised to become a significant player on the global stage. Explore more about how global tech dynamics are influencing local markets with our insights…

Related: Altman Vs. Musk: The AI Feud Shaping The Future Of Tech

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter