The leaders of Portugal, Spain, and Italy have jointly asserted their intention to play a central role in the development of artificial intelligence, rejecting a peripheral position. This commitment was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in Venice, outlining a plan to accelerate investment in the emerging technology. The declaration came from the Portuguese president, emphasizing the need for these Southern European nations to actively participate and contribute to the AI landscape. The agreement signals a coordinated effort to boost innovation and competitiveness within the region. Increased funding and collaborative projects are anticipated as a result of this initiative. The memorandum aims to ensure Southern Europe isn’t left behind in the global AI race and can shape its future direction.