Europe is at a defining moment. The Draghi report has made it unmistakably clear: EU is losing ground to the United States and China in technological innovation, productivity, and economic influence. Without a fundamental shift in how we educate, research, and innovate, Europe risks becoming dependent on technologies developed elsewhere - undermining both our competitiveness and independence.

A powerful response lies in adopting a bilingual computing mindset - the ability to fluently combine domain-specific expertise with advanced computational thinking and digital technologies. This is not just a matter of digital upskilling. It is a strategic transformation that enables Europe to unlock new waves of deep tech research and innovation rooted in our existing strengths: health, food, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

By embedding computing into the core of our scientific and industrial ecosystems, we can:

• Transform the development of breakthrough technologies in AI, biotech, robotics, and sustainable systems.
• Create new markets and business models that are globally competitive.
• Retain and attract top talent by offering meaningful, high-impact research and innovation opportunities.
• Strengthen Europe’s autonomy in critical technologies and reduce dependency on external platforms.

If we fail to act, we risk stagnation. Innovation will be imported, not invented. Our industries will struggle to adapt. And Europe’s voice in shaping a sustainable and responsible digital future will fade. 
This keynote session at Digital Tech Summit 2025 brings together leading voices from academia and industry to explore how bilingual science (x with computing) can become a cornerstone of Europe’s deep tech strategy. We will discuss how universities and companies can collaborate to build the talent, infrastructure, and innovation capacity needed to lead - not follow - in the next technological era.