Trump and Ukraine are Aiding Europe's Defense Industry in Attracting AI Experts
The influx of tech talent reflects a shift in the political landscape, as the United States reduces its role as Europe's security guarantor post-World War Two.
Some European tech workers who might have considered relocating to the United States are now exploring opportunities in defense startups within Europe. This trend is further encouraged by individuals returning from jobs abroad. A sense of patriotism driven by the war in Ukraine and changes in U.S. foreign policy under former President Donald Trump has motivated many, along with the financial prospects as European governments increase military expenditures. Additionally, the appeal of working on advanced battlefield applications involving artificial intelligence attracts others.
Amid the competitive landscape for AI professionals, European start-ups have recruited engineers and product managers from U.S.-based companies, such as OpenAI and Palantir Technologies. Although salaries in Europe can be significantly lower than those in the United States , defense firms like Comand AI, Helsing, and Alpine Eagle are also recruiting recent graduates. The war in Ukraine has reduced the stigma associated with working in defense among young engineers.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, defense startups have rapidly developed, particularly in drone technologies aiding Kyiv's efforts. PitchBook data indicates venture capital investment in European defense companies reached $626 million in 2024, up from $254 million in 2023 and $62 million in 2022. Europe's rearmament plans promise substantial growth, with the European Union aiming to mobilize 800 billion euros ($911 billion) for defense, and countries like Germany committing to significant budget increases.
According to the Zeki State of AI Talent Report, European defense companies are targeting top engineers as established firms shift focus from hardware to software innovations. Their analysis found that the number of esteemed AI engineers in Europe's defense sector grew from 144 in 2014 to 1,700 in 2024, while similar U.S. roles increased from 487 to 6,927 during the same period. Zeki defined top talent as engineers with notable achievements in AI research. "We believe this represents significant and sustained growth in the sector," stated Zeki's chief executive Tom Hurd.
Investors, tech workers, and recruiters highlighted unease with the current U.S. political environment as a reason for some Europeans seeking domestic opportunities. Trump's administration's cuts to university and research funding prompted scientists from other fields to consider moving to Europe. "Many of the world's top AI researchers originate from Europe. Some went to the U.S., but many are returning to work on European sovereignty, resilience, and long-term value creation," commented Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, managing director at General Catalyst in Berlin. "This sends a powerful signal."
Benjamin Wolba co-founded the European Defense Tech Hub last year, aiming to connect tech entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Helsing and General Catalyst sponsored several of its events. Wolba reported that more than a dozen defense tech startups emerged from hackathons in Munich, Copenhagen, and Paris in 2024, attended by around 440 participants. A similar event took place in Amsterdam recently. "We have observed growing anecdotal evidence that AI graduates are increasingly open to working in defense over the past year," Wolba said. One such example is British university student Michael Rowley, aged 20, who opted to work on troop-tracking technology instead of traditional AI roles or accounting positions. He shared, "Choosing defense allowed me to pursue meaningful work. Working for most tech companies might involve coding for advertising, but contributing to front-line efforts and protecting democracy is a rare opportunity."