Chips JU / Horizon Europe / ViTFOX

Bridging Europe and South Korea to Build the Next Generation of AI Chips

Objective :

A Leap Forward in Energy-Efficient AI

ViTFOX is an international research project that brings together leading experts from Europe and Korea to develop next-generation semiconductor technology for artificial intelligence. Specifically, it focuses on creating “ferroelectric-augmented” chips capable of running a powerful AI model called a Vision Transformer (ViT) with outstanding energy efficiency—over 50 trillion operations per second per watt (TOPS/W). This efficiency could bring advanced AI features, like image recognition or data analysis, to smaller, low-power devices at the edge (e.g., smartphones, sensors, or wearables) rather than relying on large cloud servers.

From Materials to Systems
To achieve this, ViTFOX pioneers new ferroelectric-based memory components that store and process information in ways similar to the human brain. The project goes beyond standard research by covering every step of the technology pipeline:

Designing and fabricating “Compute-in-Memory” chips.
Building a detailed simulator to refine circuits before production.
Developing a collaborative hardware-software platform to get the most out of these new components.

These breakthroughs hinge on combining advanced materials from Europe—where Hafnia-based ferroelectric electronics first took off—with high-density 3D FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM) designs from Korea.

A Global Collaboration for Real-World Impact
The ViTFOX consortium includes universities, research institutes, and a major technology development lab, ensuring access to the best facilities and know-how. By demonstrating the viability of these ferroelectric technologies at a mid-level Technology Readiness Level (TRL 4-5), the project prepares the ground for future large-scale manufacturing. Ultimately, ViTFOX aims to strengthen the global leadership of both Europe and Korea in energy-efficient semiconductor research, paving the way for AI-powered devices that are faster, greener, and ready to transform everyday life.

Societal Benefits: Sustainability and Beyond

By significantly cutting down on power consumption, ViTFOX helps reduce the carbon footprint of AI technologies—an urgent goal in a world where data centers consume vast amounts of energy. This leap in efficiency enables new possibilities for healthcare devices, environmental monitoring, and transportation systems, offering safer patient care, more accurate climate data, and smarter vehicles. Moreover, the collaborative nature of ViTFOX fosters the development of skilled professionals in both regions, fueling innovation. In short, ViTFOX isn’t just about refining technology—it’s about creating tangible benefits for people and the planet alike.