$500 Billion to Fuel AI in the U.S., While Europe Still Clicking Cookie Banners.

President Trump just announced a huge $500 billion commitment to AI infrastructure through a new venture called Stargate, teaming up with OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank.

This got me thinking again about how Europe's handles AI. The rest of the world is trying every trick in the book to attract talent, raise capital, and and lock in the best AI innovations. Meanwhile, the EU is patting itself on the back for its strict rulebook. That’s a missed chance for huge economic growth because they’re more focused on controlling a future that hasn’t really taken shape yet.

I remember the EU dreaming of a tech hub like Silicon Valley. In reality, it's a bit more like Germany hoping Volkswagen can win the electric car race. EVs from the U.S. and China are way ahead, and that gap will hurt Germany's economy for years. The EU seems to be following that same path with tech. Crafting rules for an industry they don't fully understand.

And here's the worst part: regulations and rules don't vanish over time. We're still clicking cookie banners every day. Do you know that people in the EU spend 575 million hours every year just clicking cookie banners?

I’ve felt the sting of overregulation up close. My project, Universal Page, uses blockchain, and that one word instantly marked us as “high risk.” We had to jump through some many hoops for simple things like opening a bank account. Now, with MindLumen—an AI therapist app—it’s déjà vu. AI + mental health = “high-risk”.

I get why crypto needs regulation (seems like more scams than genuine products), but it shouldn't mean everyone using a blockchain should be treated the same. But that's the outcome. Similarly, I get why AI tools need to be handled with care. The issue is that the tech will be seen as the problem, rather than how it’s used. That’s a shame, because AI can positively impact so many fields. While 1 in 4 people dealing with mental health issues and therapists are in short supply, AI chatbots can help fill the gap. Unless they’re buried under regulations before they even get off the ground.

While the U.S. pours $500 billion into AI, Europe seems stuck focusing on rules. This caution could hold back progress and leave the EU behind (again) in tech.

It's time for the EU to change its mindset. Maybe we actually need that "Make Europe Great Again" vibe. Instead of celebrating new rules, we should focus on incentivizing startups to build the future here in Europe. Becasue while the rest of the world is focused on innovation, growth, and opportunities, we're still clicking cookie banners.