Amid the US’ crackdown on domestic GPU exports, EU policymakers must develop its semiconductor industry and secure a GPU stockpile in 2025 to power future technologies across the continent, urges Nessim-Sariel Gaon, co-founder and managing partner of LIAN Group.
Gaon’s intervention follows the US Government’s promise to tighten controls on AI chips and cap the number of US-designed GPUs exported to certain countries (Reuters).
The shift caused an outcry from industry leader Nvidia – the market frontrunner accounting for 88% of the global GPU market (TechRadar) – which warned that the policy could threaten the US’ AI leadership (Reuters).
While he recognises the worries from within the market, Gaon contends the policy could mark a new dawn for international GPU innovation.
He argues that it provides an opportunity for the EU to develop AI sovereignty in the currently US-dominated market, secure its own local chip stockpile, and eventually diversify the global GPU supply chain.
Most European countries will be exempt from these caps, but – nevertheless – Gaon urges the EU to see it as a pivotal point to begin cutting-edge GPU innovation.
For him, the policy shift should be a wake-up call for the EU to remove barriers to innovation, ensure GPU innovators across European enterprises and universities have ample funding, and remove any bureaucratic red tape. The policy provides a real “open goal” to secure sovereign AI firepower across the continent, and the EU must view it as such.
Nessim-Sariel Gaon, co-founder and managing partner of LIAN Group, said: “The US’ new GPU policy has been seen by some as an attempt to monopolize their hegemony over the sector; in actuality, for me, it’s the perfect opportunity for the EU to take Biden’s concerns about AI’s impact on national security seriously and secure the AI capabilities it needs.
“European governments should remove all barriers to innovation, ensure innovators, whether in universities or enterprises, are afforded ample funding, and allow its domestic semiconductor industry to cement itself as a solid contender in the AI market. It is not too late for European AI sovereignty, and beyond the gloom, there is a real opportunity here to innovate. There is no greater time to do so – DeepSeek’s recent boom proved that there are real, open opportunities for new players to enter the AI race. The EU must take that in its stride and be incentivised to fully support its local AI ecosystem.
“To do that, however, it’s vital it works hand in hand with the industry itself, perhaps taking inspiration from the US’ Stargate project – a partnership between the Government and sector titans OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle which will see a mammoth $500 billion invested into US AI infrastructure.
“Project Stargate solidifies the need for collaboration between EU policymakers and the European semiconductor industry, as well as significant investment into the most promising GPU innovators. Washington’s policy shift should not be deemed a global disaster or hindrance; rather, a true chance to muscle up to the AI titans across the Atlantic. The time to act is now.”
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