Took It Upon Themselves: Airbus and 90+ Companies Push for EU State Fund for Tech Independence
Companies led by Airbus urge EU member states for investment in essential infrastructure
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link
A blunt letter penned by aerospace giant Airbus and 90 bloody other companies and industry associations is demanding the European Union (EU) Commission to throw some cash their way for juicing up key technologies. The letter, dated March 14, was obtained by the news agency, and it sets the scene for a kneecap to Europe's dependency on foreign companies.
Crux: Europe needs to flip the script, reclaim its technological independence across all levels of critical digital infrastructure, ranging from computer chips and data lines to online platforms and artificial intelligence (AI). The current reliance on non-European tech creates security risks, threatens Europe's sovereignty, and stifles growth.
To address these concerns, the signatories are suggesting a few remedies. For starters, European governments should roll out the red carpet for domestic providers in future procurement. This isn't about shutting out non-European actors but about creating a competitive landscape that encourages European providers to invest and grow.
Besides Airbus, the letter drafted a star-studded list of signatories that includes cloud provider OVHCloud and the AI federal association. The letter was delivered to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
The Lowdown
The core message behind the letter hinges on several essential points:
- Autonomy: Europe must chip away at its reliance on foreign tech and build strategic autonomy in key sectors.
- Sovereign Fund: A sovereign infrastructure fund would bolster investments in capital-intensive areas, such as quantum technologies and semiconductors, with funding from the European Investment Bank and national public bodies.
- Fair Play: A "Buy European" policy would boost demand for domestic tech, fostering a level playing field for European suppliers.
- Perils of Reliance: Europe's overt dependence on non-European companies poses significant risks to security, economic stability, and sovereignty.
- Supports: Noteworthy companies and organizations backing the letter include Airbus, Dassault Systèmes, OVH Cloud, the European Software Institute, the European Startup Network, and BPI France.
[1]: Rivkin, N. (2023, March 17). Europe's Tech Dependence Fuels Calls for Greater Autonomy. NTV.de. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.ntv.de/wirtschaft/digitalisierung/artikel2003169997224.html
[2]: VentureBeat. (2023, March 15). European companies call for 'buy European' policy in open letter to the European Commission. VentureBeat. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://venturebeat.com/2023/03/15/european-companies-call-for-buy-european-policy-in-open-letter-to-the-european-commission/
[3]: Schneider, V. (2023, March 16). European tech companies call for independent infrastructure amid US-China competition. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://apnews.com/article/tech-business-europe-germany-technology-france-5ddf5e47da5827f5a3949a1b85e8fab0
In line with the collective plea by Airbus and over 90 other entities, it is crucial for the European Union (EU) to consider implementing a community policy that champions fair play and encourages domestic vocational training in technology sectors. Such developments may help mitigate dependencies on foreign companies, ensuring European industrials can excel in emerging fields like quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. However, ignoring these calls might expose Europe to substantial risks and hinder its progress towards sovereignty and economic stability.
