The European Commission will assess the risks of four important technologies, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, being used as weapons by countries that do not agree with the bloc’s values, and will take action next year to address the issue, an EU official said.

The move by the EU’s executive arm is part of the bloc’s economic security strategy announced in June, and includes measures along the lines of those taken by the United States, Australia and other countries concerned about China’s growing influence.

The other two important technologies on the EU list are quantum technology and biotechnologies such as vaccines and genome sequencing.

The measures the Commission might take include imposing export controls and establishing partnerships with allies who share its views.

In the past few years, the European Union has sought to reduce its dependence on China and other countries for essential products in the wake of supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that sparked an energy crisis in the bloc.