EU needs only ‘very trusted partners’ on AI chips, tech chief says amid Nvidia crisis

Lisbon — Europe's tech chief, Henna Virkkunen, has called for the EU to work only with "very trusted partners" on artificial intelligence microchips, following the recent Nvidia crisis. Speaking to POLITICO at the Web Summit tech fair in Lisbon, Virkkunen emphasized the importance of closely collaborating with trusted partners when dealing with critical technologies such as AI semiconductors, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and satellites.

This statement came in response to Nvidia's internal investigation into whether its CEO was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation. It is Virkkunen's first public comment on the matter since the scandal broke, and she has not yet revealed whether Nvidia's trustworthiness has changed in her eyes. When asked about potential trusted partners, Virkkunen mentioned the U.S. as Europe's traditionally "closest partner in security and technology."

However, she expressed a desire to collaborate with other countries to address security gaps rather than solely blaming the U.S. Virkkunen also highlighted the need to prevent technological leaks and keep business secrets within Europe. Europe currently relies heavily on Nvidia chips due to a lack of domestic production and design capabilities for AI chips.

The European Chips Act aims to rectify this by fostering chipmaking capacity in the region. Virkkunen noted that while Europe is presently dependent on AI chips from a few American companies, it is crucial to build up local capacity for designing and manufacturing advanced AI chips in the upcoming years.