Silicon Saxony: AI gigafactories must include European semiconductors

Dependency as a competitive risk

The public funding of large industrial projects should be viewed in a new light. For example, "the planned Intel subsidy in Magdeburg amounting to 9.9 billion euros was questioned with reference to the unclear demand in Europe" - but the demand for high-performance chips is now increasing rapidly.

"It cannot be that Europe pays and the world supplies," says Bösenberg. "It is therefore time to rethink industrial policy. Not just as a funding instrument, but as an active value creation policy in the European interest. Saxony is ready to take responsibility for this."

Silicon Saxony remains a stable growth driver

Despite economic uncertainty, the Saxon semiconductor industry remains robust. Total employment in the microelectronics and ICT sector was stable at around 81,000 employees as of September 30, 2024. "After two years of above-average employment growth, the industry is now showing a linear development again, comparable to the long-term trend of the last 20 years," explains Prof. Dr. Frank Schönefeld, Chairman of the Silicon Saxony Executive Board. "This is not a weakness, but an expression of stability in a difficult environment."

The forecast remains positive: "The forecast of over 100,000 employees by 2030 remains unchanged. It is supported by the continuing high demand for skilled workers in production, development and software," said Schönefeld.

Silicon Saxony Day 2025 shows international appeal

With over 1,000 participants, Silicon Saxony Day 2025 at Dresden Airport was the largest industry gathering to date. The number of guests doubled compared to the previous year. In addition to industry, science and politics, eleven international business delegations were represented, including NY Creates from the US state of New York.

"The expansion in the north of Dresden is progressing successfully. The foundations for further growth have been laid," says Frank Bösenberg. But: "With a view to the production start-ups planned for 2027, however, a new phase is beginning for the region, a phase in which strategic decisions at European level are becoming increasingly important."

"The numerous investments by medium-sized companies along the semiconductor value chain confirm Saxony's attractiveness as a location," says Bösenberg. "If you want to secure value creation and expand Europe's technological sovereignty, you have to think about this development at an early stage."