It’s Digital Day in Brussels on April 10. Government ministers from around the European Union, as well as representatives of industry, academia and civil society, are gathering to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence, blockchain, eHealth and innovation.
Organised by the European Commission, talks will focus on how technological developments will shape the future of Europe and building a strong Digital Single Market with increased investment and digital skills is crucial.
Last year’s Digital Day in Rome triggered cooperation in areas such as high-performance computing, connected mobility and the digitisation of industry, the Commission is repeating the initiative to encourage more cooperation on digital issues.
According to the European Commission, the past year has been marked by major progress towards a Digital Single Market. The end of roaming charges and the portability of online content are finally a reality. Stronger rules on the protection of personal data and the first EU-wide rules on cybersecurity will come into force in May.
“Europeans are starting to feel the benefits of the Digital Single Market on the ground,” said Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market. “They can now travel across borders with their favourite video and music streaming services – and with no roaming charges. Soon geoblocking when shopping online will be a distant memory.”
According to Ansip, this year’s Digital Day is the perfect moment to recognise what has been achieved but to also encourage EU member states to move forward quickly with the legislative proposals still on the table.
“We need to prepare our digital future together; we need to do more, joining forces and resources to grasp the opportunities offered by technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.”
In turn, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, said: “I expect Digital Day 2018 to bring the digital cooperation in Europe to a new level regarding artificial intelligence as well as eHealth, and I encourage all EU member states and stakeholders to contribute to our efforts to keep Europe a global player in the digital age.”
