Brussels (AFP)
The European Union aims to produce 20% of semiconductors in the world, a doubling of its current share, but also to manufacture its first quantum computer by 2030, according to a roadmap published on Tuesday.
The plan aims to strengthen Europe's digital power and ensure its technological sovereignty over China and the United States.
"The production of advanced and sustainable semiconductors in Europe, in particular processors, should represent at least 20% of the world production in value, ie double the share of 10% reached in 2020", affirms the document presented by European Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Indispensable in everyday objects such as cars or mobile phones, semiconductors are currently in short supply worldwide and Europe is increasingly dependent on Chinese or American imports in this estimated market. currently at 440 billion euros.
By 2030, "Europe should have its first quantum computer," says the Commission's roadmap.
These new generation computers promise incomparable computing power compared to current capacities, and all the major industrial countries are engaged in a scientific race in this field.
The plan, which translates the digital priority set by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen into concrete objectives, relies on a better-trained workforce, improved infrastructure, as well as a transformation of businesses and public services to improve '' adapt to the new connected world.
The EU wants to have 20 million IT specialists by the end of the decade, up from 7.8 million in 2019. At least 80% of the adult population will also need to have basic digital skills.
By this time, all European households should be able to have an internet connection greater than one gigabit per second, against 59% in 2020, and all populated areas will be covered by 5G, against 14% in 2021, according to this plan.
Three out of four companies will use hosted IT services ("cloud"), databases ("big data") and artificial intelligence.
Brussels wants to double the number of "unicorns" to around 250 in 2030, these innovative companies valued at more than one billion euros.
Finally, all essential public services should be available online, including access to an electronic medical record for all Europeans.
To achieve these objectives, the Commission will subsidize cooperation projects in several States.
The EU's recovery plan plans to devote 20% of its funding to digital technologies, or up to 145 billion euros over the next three years.
© 2021 AFP