The EU just picked Netherlands for its new high-tech bet: a 133-million euro project (around $142M) to make special computer chips that work with light instead of electricity
In the tech-savvy Dutch regions‚ Dirk Beljaarts points to a clear goal: “Photonics is a technology of strategic importance; our goal is to get a strong European competitive edge“
The project is part of bigger 380-million euro plan for Europe-wide chip making (called Chips Joint Undertaking) that helps EU keep up with US and China in the semi-conductor race. These light-based chips are super-useful for:
- data-centers that need fast processing
- modern cars with smart features
- power-saving computer systems
Last year European chip makers asked for way more money - about 4.25B euros to match Asian and US competitors. This came right before Mario Draghi wrote his big report about EU needing to spend more money fast on new tech
The work starts next year with TNO experts teaming up with Eindhoven and Twente universities (theyʼre pretty good at this stuff) Companies that want to use these new facilities will need to put in some cash too - its like a team effort to make EU tech better