The EU's increased defence spending should prioritise investment in artificial intelligence and quantum computing developed within the bloc, according to EU official Henna Virkkunen. Virkkunen suggests that 10% of defence investment should be allocated to these key technologies to promote technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers.
This strategy aims to bolster Europe's competitiveness in critical technologies essential for economic growth, security, and global influence. The European Commission is devising a roadmap focusing on dual-use technologies like quantum computing as part of the Defence White Paper. A 'quantum plan' and potential 'quantum act' may also be introduced to consolidate fragmented research efforts across member states.
The EU recognises that while it boasts world-class researchers and a strong start-up ecosystem, it lags in patents and market opportunities compared to the US. To address this, the Commission is working on initiatives such as the Digital Networks Act and the AI Factories initiative to encourage investment, reduce bureaucracy, and foster innovation in the telecommunications sector.
