Open to Debate, in partnership with Bloomberg, is taking a closer look at a region that is strategizing its best move to become a competitor in the war for AI chip development: Europe. Semiconductors power our modern world, from AI models and smartphones to defense systems and electric vehicles, with control over chip supply chains now seen as a linchpin of power. Currently, the U.S. and China dominate the semiconductor race — America with capital, Silicon Valley culture, and trade restrictions, and China with resources and talent. Europe is often seen as hampered by regulation, labor laws, and limited venture capital. Yet with a near-monopoly on lithography and rising demand for tech sovereignty, Europe may be better positioned than many think. Can it catch up — or is Europe too late to compete in the chip wars?

This debate was created in partnership with Bloomberg as part of the “Bloomberg Tech” conference on October 20, 2025 in London, UK.