Bavaria and Vienna in the race: Gigafactories for AI and the right to repair!

Bavaria and Vienna in the race: Gigafactories for AI and the right to repair!

Fierce debates and important decisions are currently shaping European and local politics. The focus is particularly on topics such as the right to repair and the planned AI gigafactories in Bavaria and Vienna.

In the US, Texas recently became the first Republican-led state to pass a law strengthening the right to repair digital devices. Starting September 1, 2026, manufacturers in Texas must ensure that their products are repairable, including devices priced at $50 or more. Six other states, including California and New York, have already established similar regulations. This could be a trend that also resonates in Europe. Bavaria and Vienna have applied for EU subsidies of up to 20 billion euros for the construction of AI gigafactories, with the private sector taking on a significant portion of the financing.

The right to repair in Europe

On Tuesday, the EU Parliament approved the right to repair with an overwhelming majority of 584 votes to 3. This law not only requires manufacturers to carry out repairs cost-effectively and promptly, but also to actively inform consumers about their right to repairs. Appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners and smartphones must be able to be repaired even after the warranty period has expired. The change in the law aims to avoid 261 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually through early disposal and thus make a significant contribution to combating climate change. Consumers should benefit from the new regulation, which also includes the promotion of repairs through vouchers and information campaigns.

Manufacturers are explicitly required to provide spare parts and repair tools at reasonable prices. Information for consumers is particularly important: the costs and expected duration of the repair must be visible on the manufacturer's website. In this context, a European online platform will also be set up to provide an overview of local repair service providers. These measures could not only promote environmental protection but also boost the economy, with the new directive estimated to trigger up to 4.8 billion euros in growth in the EU.

Outlook and challenges

A look into the future shows that the EU Commission would like to announce further details on age verification on the Internet next July. Meanwhile, there is a lobbying dispute between large companies such as Apple and Google on the one hand and meta and porn providers on the other over the implementation of these age checks.

Apple has also announced that it will end support for Rosetta 2 by fall 2027, which could have significant consequences for users of older Intel-based Macs.

Overall, the decisions and initiatives in the area of ​​the right to repair and the promotion of artificial intelligence in Austria and Bavaria are under a good star. How these developments will actually impact consumers and the environment remains to be seen.

Finally, let's take a quick look at the social effects: Many consumers have lost around 12 billion euros annually by buying new things instead of repairing them. But with the EU Parliament's new regulations, which may come into full force from July 2026, this should finally change.