The AI boom is based in particular on tech giants from the USA. How can European chip manufacturers succeed in narrowing this gap?
• Europe is lagging behind the USA in the AI boom
• Experts: Europe should continue to build on strengths
• The establishment of innovation clusters should be promoted
Since the launch of the chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022, there has been a real AI hype. Many companies want to keep up with such applications, which increases the need for specialized technology in data centers. NVIDIA in particular can benefit greatly from this, because thanks to its technological lead, the US company controls around 80 percent of the global market for AI high-performance processors. As a result, it is becoming a high-flyer on the stock market: at the end of October 2025, NVIDIA was the first company ever to achieve a market value of over five trillion US dollars.
While the chip designer undoubtedly became the figurehead of the AI boom, many other companies are also benefiting enormously from it – although these are predominantly US companies. So what do their European competitors like ASML and Co. have to do to become stronger?
Merck manager Kai Beckmann sees opportunities
According to Kai Beckmann, CEO of the Merck Electronics division, Europe has the technological excellence, industrial depth and innovative strength to play a shaping role in the AI age. Companies such as the Dutch ASML or Merck and Siemens from Germany are already European pioneers in the semiconductor industry. But what is still needed is a networked, strategic approach that builds on existing strengths and breaks down systemic hurdles.
The expert criticizes the fact that the European policy architecture is currently still fragmented, with isolated laws and separate financing programs. However, since AI and semiconductors are interconnected, semiconductor, AI and industrial policy must also be unified. What is therefore necessary is strategic coordination of individual measures with the common goal of securing Europe’s leading role in GenAI-relevant technologies.
In his opinion, for Europe to survive in the global technology competition, it should not strive for complete autonomy, but rather strategic sovereignty by focusing on expanding key global positions in the AI and semiconductor value chain. He sees strengths in the areas of EUV lithography, materials science and industrial AI. According to the expert, it is important to invest specifically in research and development.
He further argues that GenAI-centric innovation ecosystems should be built. Because he sees the future in highly networked innovation clusters, Beckmann recommends that public investments should focus on “innovation anchors” – factories and facilities that bring strategic new capabilities to European industry.
The Merck manager also calls on politicians to reduce bureaucracy and simplify regulations, as well as a well-thought-out talent strategy for deep tech at the AI-semiconductor interface. This would require the creation of attractive career opportunities for the talent that exists in Europe, supplemented by competitive visa regulations.
When it comes to securing the AI and semiconductor supply chains, Beckmann recommends avoiding protectionist reflexes and instead relying on strategic reciprocity. “We could leverage our strengths in areas such as lithography, materials science and industrial IP in “technology for access” agreements with other regions to ensure access to GenAI-relevant capacities,” said the manager.
BDI digital expert Iris Plöger relies on Europe’s strengths
Iris Plöger, who is responsible for digital affairs at the BDI headquarters, also puts forward very similar arguments. According to the “Handelsblatt”, she sees Europe and Germany in particular as well positioned in the global supply and component chain for semiconductors: Germany and the Netherlands, for example, supply the world with chip production machines, and Europe must definitely expand these strengths in a targeted manner. In other areas, she believes that the emergence of clusters and highly innovative ecosystems should be encouraged so that Europe can reduce interdependencies.
It also calls for the reduction of regulatory hurdles, the simplification of planning and approval processes and the combating of the shortage of skilled workers so that new production capacities can be created quickly.
Plöger also criticizes the fact that the German federal government has provided important impetus with its high-tech agenda, but in her opinion it lacks clear goals and defined milestones. This is a shortcoming because in the fast-moving semiconductor market, speed is important.
Editorial team finanzen.net
By the way: NVIDIA and other US stocks can even be traded on finanzen.net ZERO until 11 p.m. (without order fees, plus spreads). Open a depot now for free and secure a new customer bonus!
Selected leverage products on ASML NV
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply select the lever you want and we will show you suitable open-end products on ASML NV
The leverage must be between 2 and 20
Advertising