New Policy Study: Time to build a European digital ecosystem

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Policymaking for greater technological souvereignty

The beginning of the new EU mandate means the closure of a very productive legislature in the digital domain, where trademark laws like the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act were passed. Europe was the first to legislate artificial intelligence (AI).

However, the European Union is at a crossroads in its digital transformation, with geopolitical tensions and growing dependence on foreign tech giants highlighting the need for greater technological sovereignty.

Reducing digital dependencies

The policy study “Time to build a European digital ecosystem” addresses the crucial steps for the EU to reduce its digital dependencies. Consisting of seven different chapters, the study formulates concrete recommendations for the EU’s digital policy in the new mandate.

The new European Commission will have to make sure that the existing legislation will be followed by the digital gatekeepers like Google and Meta and, if needed, enforced by the Commission. As this is an ongoing battle, one chapter looks at how we can get the enforcement of digital rules right and why this is key for citizens and digital markets.

Missing the boat on the AI revolution

However, more than extra legislative rules and better enforcement, Europe needs to look for ways to reduce its dependence on large foreign companies to provide it with essential digital infrastructure. Therefore, the study makes a plea for the European Digital Industrial Policy, which can stimulate the creation of a EuroStack – a collaborative platform of interoperable technologies that align with European standards and values. The study also looks at how public digital infrastructure could be governed and proposes a commons approach.

In the short term, the AI revolution is raising concerns that the EU is missing the boat on this digital revolution completely. One chapter looks at the market monopoly aspect of the current AI landscape and at the infrastructure needed to build European alternatives. Instead of trying to compete with Big Tech’s AI investments, the EU needs a strategic overhaul that links public investment in AI to beneficial societal goals.

Highlighting the role of the media and news consumption

To illustrate the urgency of European capacity building in the digital domain, the study looks at two specific and vital aspects of society: the role of media in our digital democracy and making online news consumption by European citizens less dependent on Big Tech platforms. Finally, the impact of AI and algorithmic management (AM) on workers and their wellbeing is being discussed. Both chapters call for concrete EU actions in the new mandate.