The ambition to achieve technological leadership is a – if not the – central driver of current geopolitical, economic, and military competition as well as a key front in the emerging rivalry between the United States and China. The European Union has fallen behind in this global tech race and must increase its capacity to act, especially in the digital realm.
At this event, DGAP launched its new report that addresses how the EU can do just that. The paper provides a comprehensive assessment of Europe’s capacity to act with qualitative and quantitative assessments of the EU’s strengths and vulnerabilities across five key enabling technologies: AI, cloud computing, 5G and mobile technology, semiconductors, and quantum computing. It also identifies priorities and provides recommendations.
The discussion examined the full range of issues confronting Europe’s efforts to position itself. It not only looked at the prospects and pitfalls for digital cooperation across the spectrum but also attempted to draw out areas of interest as the EU forges ahead with an ambitious digital regulatory and industrial policy agenda.
The launch opened with:
André de Aragão Azevedo
Secretary of State for the Digital Transition, Republic of Portugal, Current Presidency of the Council of the EU
and
H.E. Toomas Ilves
Former President, Republic of Estonia
Moderated by:
Daniela Schwarzer
Director, German Council on Foreign Relations
Followed by a presentation of the report findings and discussion with:
Guido Brinkel
Head of Regulatory Policy, Microsoft Germany
Alejandro Cainzos
Member of the Cabinet of Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager
Alexandra Geese, MEP
Member of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age; Shadow Rapporteur for the Digital Services Act (DSA)
Thomas Heilmann, MP (tbc)
CDU, Member of the German Bundestag; Co-Author of Neustaat
Kaan Sahin
Technology Fellow/CATS Fellow, Policy Planning Unit of the German Federal Foreign Office
Chair:
Tyson Barker
Head of DGAP’s Technology and Global Affairs Program
