A European Union official has stated that the European Commission is assessing the risks posed by the weaponization of four key technologies – including semiconductors and artificial intelligence – by countries that do not share the bloc’s values. The Commission plans to take action next year to address this issue.
This move by the EU’s executive arm is part of the bloc’s economic security strategy announced in June 2023. The strategy includes measures similar to those taken by the United States, Australia and other countries concerned about China’s growing global influence.
The other two important technologies on the EU’s list are quantum technology and biotechnologies such as vaccines and genome sequencing.
Moreover, the official stated, “The Commission will conduct risk assessments of these four technologies with the member states. The deadline is the end of the year. The next step is to mitigate risks next year.”
The Commission could potentially take measures that include imposing export controls and forging partnerships with like-minded allies.
In recent years, the European Union has sought to reduce its dependence on China and other countries for critical products following supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which sparked an energy crisis in the bloc.
