Margrethe Vestager , Josep Borrell: Now that digitalization has become the driving force of the modern economy and even a critical factor in today's geopolitics, there is an urgent need for more democratic governance over technology. With its vision of a "digital decade," Europe intends to lead the way, in close partnership with its allies.
This week, the European Commission presented its vision for a
European “digital decade.” With policy targets for 2030 focusing on the
four cardinal issues of skills, infrastructure and capacities, public
services, and the digitalization of business, the European Union aims to
be at the forefront of today’s digital revolution.
To ensure that technology empowers citizens
and businesses to build a more prosperous and inclusive society, we will
need open and competitive markets. Enterprises of all sizes must have
an equal opportunity to innovate and deliver their products and services
to consumers.More broadly, digitalization is now the key to building
economic and societal resilience and exercising global influence.
Our
shared future is already taking shape in the digital domain. In a world
marked by geopolitical competition for technological primacy, we must
ensure that the EU’s vision of digitalization – based on open societies,
the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms – proves its worth over that
of authoritarian systems that use digital technologies as tools for
surveillance and repression.By boosting its own capabilities, the EU can
help shape the world’s digital transformation for the better.
The
success of Europe’s digital decade will require the EU to forge strong
alliances and working relationships with likeminded countries, both
bilaterally and multilaterally. After all, reaping the full benefits of
technological innovation requires maintaining an open digital economy in
which investments can flow freely. And whether we are deploying digital
health solutions, fighting terrorism, mitigating climate change,
protecting biodiversity, or using technology to predict natural
disasters and future pandemics, we will need much more international
technological collaboration.But digitalization carries serious risks,
ranging from mass surveillance and cyber-attacks on critical
infrastructure to the spread of state-sponsored disinformation designed
to polarize societies and undermine democracy.
This means we must strike
a balance between openness and our other core interests and values.Specifically,
we should adhere to three overarching principles: a level playing field
in digital markets, security in cyberspace, and freedom online
(including protections for free speech and assembly, and against
discrimination and violations of privacy).
In keeping with our
determination to strengthen the EU’s bilateral relationships, set
clearer standards, and establish more resilient digital supply chains,
we have already approached US President Joe Biden’s administration with a
proposal to create a joint Trade and Technology Council.
The EU is
also seeking to form a global coalition around a shared vision of
human-centric digitalization. We must join with others who are willing
to cooperate to provide effective democratic governance over technology
and the digital economy. Any such coalition should be open to all who
are ready to defend an open, decentralized model of the internet and the
principles of fairness in digital markets, security in cyberspace, and
individual freedoms online.
By working together, we can set standards for
artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies on the basis of
shared values, reaping the fruits of one another’s innovations and
building stronger protections against cyberattacks. A coalition of
likeminded partners can ensure that the interdependence of our digital
supply chains becomes a source of security and resilience, rather than
added risk.Equally important, the digital decade is our last chance to
follow through on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We know that
digital technology has the potential to facilitate inclusion and access
to public services around the world.
In Africa, the share of the
population with internet access has increased
from 2% in 2005 to 40% in 2019 enabling more children to be educated,
and more women to secure employment. Until we close the global digital
divide, however, we will not be realizing the full potential of new
technologies.To that end, the EU will soon propose an initiative
combining financial resources and technical assistance to help its
partners develop their own digital governance frameworks, including in
areas such as cybersecurity and data protection. For example, a new
Digital Connectivity Fund could underpin these efforts; together with
our partners, we will be exploring the feasibility of such ideas in the
coming months....
more at Project Syndicate
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