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A growing urge for chip sovereignty in Europe

All devices require chips to function, and in the case of AI more specialised hardware (chips) are needed, and required, to accommodate the demand. Most of the chip manufacturing takes place in Asia, and with the current geopolitical dynamics, the supply chain for chips is under pressure. In combination with the scarcity of raw materials used for classical (and AI) chip manufacturing, have led several countries to rethink the supply chain.

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One of the developments here is the European Commission’s Chips Act, introduced in 2023. The ECA framework is set for revision, facilitated by broader consultation with stakeholders in late 2025, to ensure an EU-based microchip ecosystem.

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Another noticeable shift is seen in research and development (R&D). More transdisciplinary research, beyond universities, takes place in collaboration with industry partners, to rethink and redesign chips by looking into the pipeline (from materials and architectures to software and memory) for more efficient and intelligent devices.

Maturity

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Changing dynamics in Responsible AI From large to small language models AR and smart glasses become more prominent Increasing AI-enhanced user experience Growing big tech competition for the XR stack Increased application of FAIR principles to enable digital ecosystems in Europe Growing relevance of TRUST principles for data repositories to secure data More decentralisation of data ownership enabled by SSI solutions Emergence of organisational wallets Push for transparent supply chains with digital product passports Bringing computing resources closer to the ‘edge’ Growing need for automated cloud and edge resource management Growing emphasis on neuromorphic (brain-inspired) computing Integrating photonics for accelerated information processing The battle for airwaves AI/Ops, digital twinning and the emergence of the LLM in network operations Power usage and ecological footprint From ad hoc experiments to applications Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) Cyber-physical technology calls for resilient minds A growing urge for chip sovereignty in Europe

Drivers

Impact

education

Education

  • The European Chip Act will drive resilience and technological innovation in the broader chip industry within the EU. Nevertheless, it’s impact on innovation will be influenced by geopolitical policies and the global technological competition.
  • Talent is needed to guarantee the growth of the EU chip industry from a technological standpoint, but this talent should be made aware of the significance of EU policy and geoeconomics on the ecosystem.
  • In some courses, these topics are covered implicitly. However, explicit coverage of these topics in dedicated modules that complement traditional technical modules would help to train a more balanced talent pool. This would be talent with the capability to innovate within the chip industry who are also aware of the influence of geopolitical change on their efforts.
Research

Research

  • The pursuit for digital autonomy can drive research projects in fields pertaining to the chip industry – ranging from processes to materials, and logistics to synergy with artificial intelligence, connectivity, and data management.
  • Collaborate beyond universities and across Europe with researchers, industry partners and society to develop (new) use cases.
  • Specialised lab facilities to accommodate new developments in chip testing, manufacturing and knowledge transfer.
Operations

Operations

  • Talent development and housing will need to be prioritised and accommodated to scale the capability in the Netherlands.
  • The implementation of new smart, energy-efficient IoT devices will require architectural focus for future campus scenarios.
  • The transdisciplinary research projects require a trusted collaboration environment, allowing for industry partners to access knowledge.