Experts question EU report on emerging deep tech

Experts have criticised a new report by the European Innovation Council (EIC) on emerging deep technologies, breakthrough innovations, and early-stage research projects, calling into question its approach to quantum computing and semiconductors.

The report by the EIC, a flagship initiative of the European Commission, looks to identify areas of emerging technologies related to the industry, space, health, and the environment to provide the foundation of development funding.

But not everyone is convinced. According to experts, the report’s sections on semiconductors and quantum technologies are underwhelming, in particular lacking analysis of links to major EU legislative files such as the Chips Act and the latest developments in the field of quantum.

Regarding the section on quantum technologies, Peter Zoller, an expert at the Austrian Institut für Quantenoptik und Quanteninformation, told Euractiv that the report is “a bit one-sided”.

“Quantum sensing deserves special mention as promising quantum technology. Not everything is quantum computing,” Zoller said.

Similarly, others criticised the section on semiconductors as lacking depth.

Angela Garcia Calvo, professor at the University of Reading, told Euractiv: “The report identifies the main trends in microelectronics and disseminates information, but it does not address important questions such as how R&D developed in Europe will be scaled up.” 

The Commission did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

The EIC falls under the Horizon Europe program, which brings a budget of €10 billion to support novel technologies and innovations.

Quantum technologies

Quantum technologies, part of the EU’s sensitive data and digital infrastructure, are, according to the report, the EIC’s largest portfolio in the Digital and Industry section.

However, “the discussion leaves out completely the fact that one of the best implementations of quantum computers and simulators is platforms with neutral atoms and ions manipulated by laser light,” Zoller highlighted.

While the quantum technologies section is written from the perspective of solid-state physics and material, it does not acknowledge that, for instance, high-temperature quantum computing already exists. 

High-temperature quantum computing refers to atoms that are trapped in a free vacuum and are cooled down to zero temperature using laser cooling. Simultaneously, the vacuum chamber is at room temperature.

Zoller argued that the report is behind real-time scientific developments on the implementation of qubits, the basic unit of quantum computing. The report “ignores that we have in our laboratories today already demonstrations of error correction with existing qubit implementations”. 

Another recent challenge is the security risks associated with quantum attacks when previously encrypted material becomes hackable. As quantum computers outstrip supercomputers’ capacities, the EU needs a roadmap to respond to ‘harvest attacks’ and future quantum attacks on encryption.

Semiconductors

Research and innovation on semiconductors make up a large part of the EIC’s portfolio. 

However, the report does not address “the synergies between the EIC portfolio and the Chips Act and how the two can work together to reach 20% of global semiconductor production,” according to the University of Reading’s Calvo. 

The European Chips Act is the EU’s flagship initiative seeking to protect and boost the supply of semiconductors, which entered into force in September.

The legislation was a response to the global shortages of microchips, whose production is largely concentrated in Asian countries like Taiwan and South Korea.

The declared objective is to increase the EU’s share of global semiconductor production to 20% in the next seven years, reducing reliance on foreign chip suppliers.

“So the question is to what extent does the EIC portfolio complement the EU Chips Act or help achieve its goals,” said Calvo.

The majority of demand for semiconductors in Europe comes from the automotive sector. Calvo also criticises that the report does not reflect the EU’s goal to diversify from the automotive sector.

“How can European producers diversify away from producing for the automotive market when there is little domestic demand?” Calvo told Euractiv.

[Edited by Luca Bertuzzi/Nathalie Weatherald]

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