The European Commission has issued a new communication designed to guide the EU's digital development in the period to 2030. Developed at the prompting of the EU member states, the framework outlines plans for a 'digital decade' involving new initiatives for skills training, infrastructure development, business transformation and e-government. Implementation will be monitored regularly through a 'Digital Compass' based on new legislation.
The Commission presented in February 2020 its initial view on digital development and has since updated the policy based on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. This takes account of requirements for EU states to spend at least 20 percent of funds from the EU's recovery fund on digital priorities, as well as efforts to enhance 'digital sovereignty' and local supply chains in the region and cooperate with the US more on regulating the tech industry.
In concrete terms, the Commission proposes four areas of focus:
- Digital skills for citizens and highly skilled digital professionals. By 2030, at least 80 percent of all adults should have basic digital skills, and there should be 20 million employed ICT specialists in the EU. More women also should take up jobs in the ICT sector.
- Secure, performant and sustainable digital infrastructure. By 2030, all EU households should have gigabit connectivity and all populated areas should be covered by 5G; the production of "cutting-edge and sustainable" semiconductors in Europe should be 20 percent of world production; 10,000 climate-neutral, highly-secure edge nodes should be deployed in the EU; and Europe should have its first quantum computer.
- Digital transformation of businesses. By 2030, three out of four companies should use cloud computing services, big data and artificial intelligence; more than 90% of SMEs should reach at least basic level of digital intensity; and the number of EU unicorns should double.
- Digitalisation of public services. By 2030, all key public services should be available online; all citizens will have access to their e-medical records; and 80 percent of citizens should use an eID solution
DESI update with traffic lights
The Digital Compass will set a joint governance structure with the EU member states based on a monitoring system with annual reporting. Reports will be based on an enhanced Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and show each state's progress on the targets, using a traffic light system. The report will also highlight possible divergences from the EU goals and include proposals to address these deficiencies.
The targets must still be agreed in a policy programme with the European Parliament and the Council, to make them binding on EU states. The Commission aims to have this ready by Q3.
Digital principles for all
It also proposes to include a set of digital principles and rights, building on the European Pillar of Social Rights. This would help to guide the EU and member states in designing digital rules and regulations, underlining principles such as universal access to internet services and digital health services and ethical use of algorithms and AI.
A public consultation will be the next step to collect input on the principles. The Commission will then develop a formal proposal to negotiate with the Council and Parliament, with the objective of agreeing on a joint declaration by the end of 2021.
