Wednesday, 3, 10 and 17 December 2023, from 18:00 to 19:00h CET (UTC+1). Online.
Technological innovation is the central axis of geopolitical competition in the 21st century. In a context marked by digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the transition to data-based economies, the major hubs of innovation —China, the United States and, to a lesser extent, the European Union— are competing not only to achieve or preserve their technological autonomy, but also for strategic influence.
The United States still maintains a dominant position thanks to its innovation ecosystem, driven by large technology platforms, elite universities attracting global talent, and a financial market sustaining massive investments in R&D. Silicon Valley, increasingly linked to the security and defence sector, remains the epicentre of disruptive innovation, although it faces challenges related to the enormous expectations generated by new tools, regulation and dependence on external supply chains for key resources, such as advanced chips and critical minerals.
Asia, led by China, has emerged as a decisive player. Beijing is committed to technological self-sufficiency through plans such as ‘Made in China 2025’ and heavy investment in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and telecommunications. This strategy seeks to reduce vulnerabilities to sanctions and consolidate its influence in critical sectors, while other Asian countries —such as South Korea and Japan— are strengthening their role in advanced innovation.
Europe faces the challenge of not falling behind. Although it has scientific capabilities and a solid regulatory framework, its fragmentation and lower private investment limit its competitiveness. The European Union is attempting to respond with initiatives such as the Chips Act and programmes to promote digital sovereignty, prioritising values such as data protection and sustainability.
Technological rivalry is not merely a technical issue: it redefines alliances, generates trade tensions and conditions global security. Innovation thus becomes an instrument of power, where the ability to control key technologies and set standards will determine the geopolitical balance in the coming decades.
The series consists of three webinar sessions:
Webinar: ‘Technological competition between the United States and China’
Wednesday, 3 December 2023, from 18:00 to 19:00h CET (UTC+1).
- Presented by: Oriol Farrés, Project Coordinator – CIDOB International Yearbook | @Urifarres
- Moderated by: Yasmin Paricio, Coordinator of the Politics, Society and Education department, Casa Asia | @yparicio
- Speaker: Lourdes Casanova, Director of the Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell University | @lourdescasanova
- Comments by: Mario Esteban, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | wizma9
Registration on the Casa Asia website until 3 December at 15:00 h.
Webinar: ‘Europe and the Indo-Pacific: technological autonomy in an interdependent world’
Wednesday, 10 December 2023, from 18:00 to 19:00h CET (UTC+1).
- Presented by: Mario Esteban, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | wizma9
- Moderated by: Yasmin Paricio, Coordinator of the Politics, Society and Education department, Casa Asia | @yparicio
- Speaker: Darío García de Viedma, Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute.
- Comments by: Oriol Farrés, Project Coordinator – CIDOB International Yearbook | @Urifarres
Registration on the Casa Asia website until 10 December at 15:00 h.
Webinar: ‘From follower to pioneer: China and Asia at the forefront of innovation’
Wednesday, 17 December 2023, from 18:00 to 19:00h CET (UTC+1).
- Presented by: Yasmin Paricio, Coordinator of the Politics, Society and Education department, Casa Asia | @yparicio
- Moderated by: Oriol Farrés, Project Coordinator – CIDOB International Yearbook | @Urifarres
- Speaker: Claudio Feijoó, Jean Monnet Chair of Diplomacy, Strategy and Innovation, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
- Comments by: Mario Esteban, Senior Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute | wizma9
Registration on the Casa Asia website until 10 December at 15:00 h.
– The webinars are in Spanish without simultaneous interpretation.
– Further information and registration on the Casia Asia website.
