Digitalisierung

Digitisation

How can Europe become a pioneer in the competition for the Internet of the future?

THE PROBLEM

During the Corona lockdown, digital solutions proved to be a lifeline. Thanks to videoconferencing, the flow of communication has continued to flow; climate-damaging business trips were avoided. Retailers, which could also offer their offer on the Internet, prevented a total loss. The force of digital transformation is also shaking established business models.

T

echnologieangst kann jedoch nicht die alleinige Erklärung dafür sein, dass die digitale Zukunft von nicht-europäischen Konzernen dominiert wird. Erwähnt seien an dieser Stelle vier offensichtliche Defizite, auch wenn diese in den einzelnen EU-Mitgliedsstaaten unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägt sein können:

  • IKT-Pioniere suchen in Europa häufig vergeblich nach Frühphasenfinanzierung.
  • Öffentliche Investitionen in die IKT-Infrastruktur wurden jahrelang vernachlässigt und verzögern damit den technischen Fortschritt.
  • Programmieren gehört auch unter der jüngeren Generation noch immer nicht zu den Kulturtechniken wie Lesen und Schreiben. In einer älter werdenden Gesellschaft droht vielen Menschen der Ausschluss von digitalen Arbeitsplätzen.
  • Um im internationalen Wettbewerb zu bestehen, fehlt es an europäischen Digitalkonzernen, die über eine kritische Masse an Einfluß verfügen, um neue Standards zu setzen.

One of the achievements of a European digital strategy is certainly the General Data Protection Regulation. The effective fight against hate messages, fake news and cybercrime requires comparable EU regulations. In addition, it is to be expected that in the future non-European states will increasingly interfere with the freedom of the Internet. In order to respond adequately to such digital protectionism, a holistic set of instruments is needed, the application of which must be supported by all Member States.

THE VISION

In addition to the Digital Agenda for Europe, the EU should promote ambitious future projects in order to become a global leader in digital change and to have sufficient impact against international competitors:

The EU should support the spin-off of ICT start-ups from European research institutions with up to 90% of seed capital if they can demonstrate at least two companies from different EU countries as economic partners.

The EU should promote the development of an innovative and powerful European search and find engine as a real alternative to the quasi-monopolist Google. The same applies to a social network. Both could set a new standard with reference to European data protection guidelines and the use of intelligent tools to identify and delete fake news, as well as hate messages, including the simplified introduction of punitive measures against trolls worldwide.

In the battle for the 5G standard, the majority of non-European technology providers have emerged victorious. However, there is still a chance for Europe to become a pioneer for the coming network of the future. For example, a few European scientists are researching a 6G standard that is said to be 1,000 times faster than 5G. However, this should not be available until 2037 at the earliest. What if the European states pooled their R&D skills in order to be able to offer a solution by the end of this decade? Comparable turbo initiatives could result in the promotion of AI and robotics if European experts avoided duplication, pooled their competences in targeted joint ventures and did not waste time on the arduous search for investors.

In order to promote digital skills and the creation of new jobs, the EU could support the development of modular computers for self-construction as an alternative to foreign hardware providers.

Crucially,

that Europe, with bold visions, is positioning itself as a centre for technology transfer, thus offering a new home to smart minds from all over the world. You don’t necessarily have to fly to the moon, there are enough challenges on Earth.

THE IMPLEMENTATION

In order to reduce the fear of digital change in the European population, sufficient opportunities for participation must be offered through education and training in all age groups.

The EU should prepare itself for its own activities to lead to a backlash from international competitors. Moreover, cybercriminals almost always have a technical edge. This challenge requires a collaborative approach.

Moreover, the risk of a virtual pandemic should not be underestimated. The more dependent we become on digital solutions, the greater the risk of blackout. This problem affects all the countries of the world. The EU could consider maintaining analogue replacement solutions in key areas alongside digital innovations.