EU tech chief calls for trusted partners in AI chip cooperation
Henna Virkkunen urged Europe to develop its own advanced chip capabilities as Nvidia investigates a possible Chinese intelligence operation targeting its chief executive.
Cooperation on sensitive technologies should be confined to highly trusted partners, Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty, said at Lisbon’s Web Summit on 10 November 2026. She included AI chips, quantum technology, cybersecurity and satellites among the fields needing such safeguards.
Virkkunen argued that Europe needs greater capacity for designing and producing advanced semiconductors because it depends on a handful of American AI chip suppliers. The EU is seeking to strengthen its limited domestic capabilities through the European Chips Act.
The comments came after Nvidia launched an internal inquiry into whether a Chinese intelligence operation had targeted Jensen Huang, its chief executive. Virkkunen did not clarify whether those developments had reduced her confidence in Nvidia. She characterised the US as historically the EU’s nearest partner in technology and security.
Virkkunen also stressed that safeguards in selected technological fields should prevent leaks and protect commercial secrets within Europe. Nvidia had not immediately provided a response to a request for comment.
