Andrew J. Grotto is a William J. Perry International Security Fellow at the Cyber Policy Center and a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, both at Stanford University. Before coming to Stanford, Grotto was the Senior Director for Cybersecurity Policy at the White House in both the Obama and Trump Administrations. Grotto’s research interests center on the national security and international economic dimensions of America’s global leadership in information technology innovation, and its growing reliance on this innovation for its economic and social life.

In his presentation, Andrew will discuss the complex strategic and geopolitical challenges related to the semiconductor industry. The United States and key allies (“the Silicon Allies”) are actively seeking greater resilience against a wide range of risks, with a principal focus so far on cultivating and supporting domestic industries as a hedge against geopolitical and other risks that emerge from having key nodes in the supply chain serviced by overseas suppliers. He will introduces a recently published study on the current status of the semiconductor industry and proposes recommendations to reduce asymmetric interdependencies.

In the study, the authors have found: “The Silicon Allies need each other. Interdependence among them, and with China, helps keep prices low and supports innovation. ” However, they highlight that further work is required to articulate an action plan with milestones, deliverables, and success metrics for strategic cooperation on resiliency initiatives.

The aim of the event is to bring together young as well as established scholars undertaking research in various disciplines related to information and communication technologies such as computer sciences, political and social sciences, and law.

The conference is in English and will take place in Zoom. Agenda and link to the conference: www.taltech.ee/ICR