Explore the EU's Economic Security Strategy, focusing on critical tech like AI, semiconductors, quantum, and biotech. Understand risks and key action areas.
I. Background
The strategy establishes a three-pillar approach:
Strengthening the EUs economic base and competitiveness;
Preventing potential risks;
Building broad partnerships to jointly address risks and challenges.
II. Definition of Key Technology Areas
Per the European Commissions recommendations, these four technology domains are identified as most sensitive to security and leakage risks:
Advanced Semiconductor Technology:As the core component in electronic devices, semiconductors play indispensable roles across communications, computing, energy, and other critical sectors.
Artificial Intelligence Technology:AI holds transformative potential in data processing and decision-making, particularly with large datasets.
Quantum Technology:Quantum technology development will revolutionize multiple fields, especially in civilian and military applications.
Biotechnology:From agriculture to healthcare, biotechnology drives innovation and transformation.
Below is the list of 10 key technology areas impacting EU economic security
| Technology Areas | List products by SKU, indicating gross weight/net weight (The US customs has a relatively high sampling ratio by weight) |
|---|---|
| Advanced semiconductor technology | - Microelectronics, including processors – Photonics technology, including high-energy lasers - High-frequency chip – Semiconductor manufacturing equipment at very advanced node sizes |
| Artificial intelligence technology | - High-performance computing - Cloud and edge computing - Data analysis techniques - Computer vision, language processing, object recognition |
| Quantum technology | – Quantum computing – Quantum cryptography - Quantum communication - Quantum Sensing and Radar |
| Biotechnology | - Genetically modified technology – New Genomic Technologies – Gene drive - Synthetic Biology |
| Advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies | - Secure digital communication and connectivity, such as RAN and Open RAN - Network monitoring, security and intrusion systems, digital forensics - Internet of Things and Virtual Reality - Distributed ledger and digital identification technologies - Guidance, navigation, and control technologies, including avionics and maritime positioning |
| Advanced sensing technologies | - Photoelectric, radar, chemical, biological, radiation, and distributed sensing - Magnetometer, magnetic gradiometer - Underwater electric field sensor - Gravimeter and gradiometer |
| Space and Propulsion Technologies | - Dedicated spatial focusing technology, from component to system level - Space surveillance and Earth observation technologies - Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) - Secure communication, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity - Advance technologies, including supersonic aircraft and military components |
| Energy Technologies | - Nuclear fusion technology, reactor and power generation technology, radioactive conversion/enrichment/recycling technology - Hydrogen and new fuels – Net-zero technologies, including?photovoltaic?Technology Smart grids and energy storage, batteries |
| Robotics and Autonomous Systems | - Unmanned aerial vehicles and vehicles (air, land, surface water, and underwater) - Robots and robot-controlled precision systems - Exoskeleton - Artificial intelligence systems |
| Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies | - Nanomaterial technology, intelligent materials, advanced ceramic materials, stealth materials, safety, and sustainable design materials Additive manufacturing, including on-site manufacturing - Digitally controlled micro-precision manufacturing and miniature laser processing/welding - Extraction, processing, and recycling technologies for key raw materials (including hydrometallurgical extraction, bioleaching, nanotechnology-based filtration, electrochemical processing, and black mass) |
III. Risk Management and Follow-up Actions
Initiate risk assessment:The EU will work with Member States to conduct collective risk assessments on the four technology areas mentioned above.
Open dialogue:The Commission will engage in open dialogue with Member States regarding the appropriate timeline and scope of the risk assessment.
Further measures:Based on this dialogue and initial experience from preliminary risk assessments, the Commission may propose further measures by spring 2024.
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