Dual-Use Technologies: The Hidden Military Side of Europe’s AI, Chips and Space Industry

Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, satellites, robotics.Most people see them as civilian technologies powering the digital economy.But many of these innovations also have a military dimension.They are what regulators call dual-use technologies — technologies that can serve both civilian and defence purposes.As geopolitical tensions rise and global defence spending reaches record levels, these technologies are becoming strategic assets for governments and industry.And this shift is triggering a rapid expansion of European regulation, from export controls to foreign investment screening, sanctions regimes and industrial policy initiatives such as the European Defence Fund and the EU Chips Act.In this episode of Diritto al Digitale, Giulio Coraggio explores:what qualifies as a dual-use technologythe EU legal frameworks governing these technologieswhy companies developing AI, chips, robotics and aerospace technologies are increasingly affected by defence regulationthe industrial opportunities for European and Italian companies in this rapidly evolving sectorand the growing intersection between technology, law and geopoliticsIf you work in technology law, compliance, defence, AI, semiconductors or export control, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.Because the future of innovation in Europe will increasingly depend on technologies that are both civilian and military at the same time.Send us Fan Mail