Shaping Europe’s digital future: European Council adopts conclusions

The European Council adopted conclusions yesterday (9 June) on shaping Europe’s digital future, addressing a wide range of issues related to the implementation of the EU digital strategy.

The areas covered by the conclusions range from connectivity, digital value chains and eHealth to the data economy, artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

The text also highlights the impact of the digital transformation on fighting the pandemic, and its critical role in the post-COVID-19 recovery.

Some key points:

Artificial intelligence

In this field, European Council recognises that artificial intelligence is a fast evolving technology that can contribute to a more innovative, efficient, sustainable and competitive economy, as well as to a wide array of societal benefits, such as improving citizens’ safety and security, public welfare, education and training, healthcare or supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation.

It also highlights the positive role of artificial intelligence applications in fighting the COVID19 pandemic and supports the fast and innovative use of AI applications in this respect.

Enabling technologies and digital value chains

In this sense, conclusions recognises the importance of supercomputing, quantum technologies and cloud computing as enablers for technological sovereignty, competitiveness at a global level and a successful digital transformation, underpinning priority areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, Internet of Things and cybersecurity.

Click here to access full conclusions.