European industry is heading toward €800 billion in 2025. Yet it still lacks the courage to act.
"European AI startups can still thrive — despite the huge funding gap with the US."
Niklas Zennström
Skype co-founder (Sweden)
Timeline of technological development in Europe
Timeline of technological development in Europe
Archimedes' screw
Greece
300 BC
Archimedes' screw
Greece
300 BC
Antikythera mechanism
Greece
150 BC
Antikythera mechanism
Greece
150 BC
Extensive roads and aqueducts
Rome
50
Extensive roads and aqueducts
Rome
50
First underfloor heating in public baths and houses
Rome
200
First underfloor heating in public baths and houses
Rome
200
Expansion of aqueducts in Rome, water supply
Rome
312
Expansion of aqueducts in Rome, water supply
Rome
312
Concrete (opus caementicium)
Rome
350
Concrete (opus caementicium)
Rome
350
First use of mechanical water clocks
England
672
First use of mechanical water clocks
England
672
Introduction of the noria for irrigation
Spain
754
Introduction of the noria for irrigation
Spain
754
Use of heavy plows with metal plowshares
Frankish Empire
830
Use of heavy plows with metal plowshares
Frankish Empire
830
Water mills for grain and metals
Central Europe
1000
Water mills for grain and metals
Central Europe
1000
Founding of the world's first university
Italy
1088
Founding of the world's first university
Italy
1088
Invention of glasses
Italy
1286
Invention of glasses
Italy
1286
Production of mechanical clocks with escapement mechanisms
England
1300
Production of mechanical clocks with escapement mechanisms
England
1300
Prague Astronomical Clock
Bohemia
1410
Prague Astronomical Clock
Bohemia
1410
Construction of caravels using compasses and navigation
Italy
1450
Construction of caravels using compasses and navigation
Italy
1450
Letterpress printing
Germany
1455
Letterpress printing
Germany
1455
Discovery of America, development of navigation technology
Europe / America
1492
Discovery of America, development of navigation technology
Europe / America
1492
First thermometer
Italy
1593
First thermometer
Italy
1593
Invention of the telescope
Netherlands
1608
Invention of the telescope
Netherlands
1608
Development of the microscope
England
1676
Development of the microscope
England
1676
Improved steam engine
Great Britain
1765
Improved steam engine
Great Britain
1765
Mechanical loom
Great Britaine
1785
Mechanical loom
Great Britaine
1785
First steam locomotive
Great Britain
1804
First steam locomotive
Great Britain
1804
First automobile with a combustion engine
Germany
1886
First automobile with a combustion engine
Germany
1886
Z3 – first programmable computer
Germany
1941
Z3 – first programmable computer
Germany
1941
Pascal programming language
Switzerland
1970
Pascal programming language
Switzerland
1970
First Airbus
France
1972
First Airbus
France
1972
World Wide Web
Switzerland
1991
World Wide Web
Switzerland
1991
Mistral AI
France
2023
Mistral AI
France
2023
Development of AI in medicine, law, education, industrial robotization
Globally
2024+
Development of AI in medicine, law, education, industrial robotization
Globally
2024+
"Europe must make AI a real priority — otherwise it will fall behind. That would be catastrophic from an industrial and economic point of view."
"Europe must make AI a real priority – otherwise it will fall behind. That would be catastrophic from an industrial and economic point of view."
Antoine Petit
President of CNRS (France)
"Europe must make AI a real priority – otherwise it will fall behind. That would be catastrophic from an industrial and economic point of view."
Antoine Petit
President of CNRS (France)
Antoine Petit
President of CNRS (France)