The Big Picture: With major advances in AI, edge computing, robotics, electric and autonomous vehicles, and clean energy driving growth and innovation in semiconductors, the future of the chip industry has never looked brighter. Yet at the same time, the industry is facing significant challenges, including rising cost and complexity, the need for more energy-efficient computing and cultivating a sufficient talent pipeline to support future growth. Against this backdrop, Applied Materials convened more than two dozen Chief Executives and R&D leaders from across Europe to explore solutions for overcoming the semiconductor industry’s most pressing challenges.

Leading the Charge: Applied’s “Summit to Advance Semiconductor Leadership Europe” held this week in Dresden, Germany focused on two critical themes:

• Accelerating Innovation
• Strengthening Competitiveness and Technology Leadership

Among the goals of the event was fostering new partnerships and collaboration opportunities to accelerate semiconductor innovation and strengthen Europe’s role in the global chip industry.

Summit participants included the following:

Government:
Officials from Saxony and Dresden

Companies:
ASML, Besi, Black Semiconductor, Bosch, ESMC, GlobalFoundries, Infineon, Mercedes, STMicroelectronics, Valeo, Vishay, X-FAB

Institutes:
CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer, imec

Powering the Future of AI: With a long history of innovation in specialty semiconductors that are essential to the Internet of Things, Communications, Automotive, Power and Sensor markets, Europe is in a great position to take a leadership role in addressing one of the biggest challenges to the future of AI: energy consumption. For example, innovations in compound semiconductors for power electronics can address data transfer energy consumption within the data center and reduce grid-to-data center power losses.

Alongside the Summit, Applied Materials published a report co-authored by leaders in the semiconductor and energy industries outlining a new playbook to accelerate sustainable energy for AI. The report calls for increased collaboration between industry and governments to modernize the electrical grid and integrate intelligent computing to optimize energy use and distribution.

Building on a Long History: Applied has been a key part of Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem for 54 years. The company’s first European office opened in Germany in 1971, and Applied’s presence in Europe now spans 30 sites in 10 countries. Applied conducts R&D, manufacturing, sales and service in the region, and works closely with its customers and leading research institutes to accelerate innovation in a wide range of semiconductors that are at the foundation of AI and edge computing.