Members of the European Parliament have urged the European Commission to initiate a new support program for the region's semiconductor industry, focusing on investments in AI chips and addressing technological gaps.
Recent geopolitical developments have underscored the importance of not taking access to advanced technologies for granted, according to a letter signed by representatives from three major parliamentary factions and 54 lawmakers. They emphasized the need for Europe to actively enhance its appeal as a location for research and development, production, and investment, while criticizing the pace of progress under the initial 2023 Chips Act as "too slow."
This appeal from lawmakers follows similar calls from leading European chip industry firms. Although the Commission has plans to launch five investment packages this year to stimulate European investment, particularly in AI, details regarding the semiconductor sector remain unspecified.
The letter, addressed to Commission digital chief Henna Virkkunen, expressed disappointment that these packages do not include semiconductor support, highlighting that chips are central to the EU's industrial ambitions. A spokesperson for Virkkunen's office was not immediately available for comment.
The initial EU Chips Act spurred significant investment, yet it also aimed to attract advanced chipmakers after Intel canceled plans for a large new factory in Germany. Addressing this and other challenges has become increasingly urgent given the current geopolitical landscape.
The letter asserted that Europe must protect its industry leaders from the impacts of extraterritoriality and the escalating competition between the United States and China.