European citizens take the lead to overcome the digital challenges of the next decade
The European Commission has launched a public consultation in which all its citizens, companies and institutions can contribute their views to the future Declaration of Digital Principles of the Union. This manifesto, which will complement the Digital Community Strategy, will guide the EU and member states in the design of legislation and policies in digital matters, so it is very important to participate: this is the only way to be heard and to propose measures that are both fair and necessary.
The consultation will be open until September 2.
The Digital Compass (source: European Digital Strategy)
There are still many challenges associated with the move to a digital world that need to be addressed. The EU must increase its strategic autonomy in tech and needs to develop new rules and technologies to protect citizens from counterfeit products, cybertheft, and disinformation. Most importantly, the EU needs to address the digital divide.
Over the next decade – the digital decade – the EU’s vision is for a digital world that empowers people and businesses, and that is shaped around a human-centred, sustainable and more prosperous approach.
The digital compass sets out objectives to achieve the EU’s vision for the digital future. It uses the four points of the compass to identify the main goals to reach over the next decade:
- a digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals
- secure and substantial digital infrastructures
- digital transformation of businesses
- digitisation of public sectors
Key policy areas to ensure these goals are met include cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital identities, data, and connectivity.
The digital compass can also support the EU in meeting objectives in the European Green Deal, helping Europe reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Digital technologies help reduce environmental impact significantly. For example, the widespread use of videoconferencing plays a part in reducing flight emissions. And, digital technologies play a role in creating a greener approach to agriculture, energy use in buildings, and more sustainable city planning.
Against this background, organizations such as the AIR Institute are key to achieving the objectives set by Europe and also give a voice to companies in European bodies, conveying their needs and criteria through forums such as DIGIS3 or the IoT Digital Innovation Hub.
Public consultation and feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13017-Declaration-of-Digital-Principles-the-%E2%80%98European-way%E2%80%99-for-the-digital-society_en