Advanced semiconductors are some of the most complex objects humans can make. They are integral to European and global economies’ digital transformation and are increasingly strategically crucial from a geopolitical and technological sovereignty standpoint. However, the supply of these chips has for a long time lacked elasticity – gluts and shortages of supply are not uncommon, with the pandemic significantly compounding supply issues, leading some vital European industries reliant on semiconductors to have shuttered their manufacturing because of a lack of components. The costs and loss of business have run into the billions, and the European Union’s green and digital transition is at risk of delay.

The European Commission has released its primary response to this crisis through the European Chips Act, aiming to double the European share of global microchip production by 2030 and reduce supply dependencies.

These are delicate times, however. Semiconductors have become political and are also raising important questions around trade, state aid, competition rules, and global partnerships, and are an important test case for Europe’s ability to coordinate and react quickly to the drive for greater strategic autonomy.

This Forum Europe conference will analyse Europe’s plans to deepen its technological autonomy, particularly as it relates to semiconductors. The conference will look at how Europe can address supply shortages in the short to medium-term, while preparing the ground for Europe to lead in the next generation of advanced semi-conductors.