Research & Innovation
TSMC in Germany: The successes and limits of the EU Chips Act
Est. 7minThe EU Chips Act, a new-generation industrial policy tool for the European Union, is producing appreciable results, but not those expected by its early advocates, writes Mathieu Duchâtel.
Innovation springs eternal, even through crypto winter
Est. 6minAs autumn descends, it is popular to talk about crypto being in the midst of a new ‘winter’ caused by the fall-out from the market turmoil, as well as some high-profile collapses and hacks. The situation overall has been sobering …
AI for All: Two Suggestions
Est. 6minMohammed Sijelmassi, CTO of Sopra Steria, a European IT company, stresses the importance of making AI accessible and transparent to and for all. He underlines the trustworthiness of AI not only as a value but also as a competitive advantage. He proposes two measures: first, in line with his previous article on the Digital Decade, to introduce AI-specific curricula into educational and adult learning systems to a much higher degree. Second, the EU and Member States should pool their resources to build AI superclusters, enabling European researchers and companies to train their models. This would be a measurable contribution to digital sovereignty.
Empowering European digital leaders: After regulation, let’s quickly promote innovation
Est. 8minAs MEPs approved the final agreement on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Strasbourg, it is vital to go further and help European digital champions emerge. This is why we are defending the implementation of a "Buy European Tech Act" in order to make Europe a real digital power.
Provide an SME-friendly environment, and SMEs will deliver
Est. 4minOn 27 June, the International MSME day (the abbreviation stands for Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises), SMEunited, an association of small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe are making a call on decision-makers “to think small first and act accordingly”.
Collaboration delivers digital skills for a digital Europe
Est. 4minThere is a significant digital skills gap in Europe. To overcome this problem, strategic collaboration between public and private actors is key. Overcoming the digital skills gap will ensure that technology will continue to be beneficial for an inclusive and fair society, today and tomorrow.
A renewed partnership for the future of European Standardisation
Est. 6minEuropean Standards are key to power Europe’s twin transition. CEN and CENELEC are looking forward to collaborating with the European Commission on the basis of the newly released European Standardization Strategy, to the benefit of the EU’s citizens and industry.
Artificial Intelligence: How The EU AI Act Can Enable Responsible Innovation In AI And Machine Learning
Est. 6minThe proposed AI Act is the first of its kind globally. With the right balance, it can set a robust framework for innovation in trustworthy and rights-protective AI applications.
Europe must seize its chance to lead the world in cleantech
Est. 6minEU member states are insufficiently engaged in the regulations and funding that will promote clean technologies necessary to deliver on its climate ambitions. Now is the time to course correct, argue Peter Sweatman and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin.
BeXt awards recognise sustainability alongside price and quality in consumer products
Est. 6minRecognising the contribution that responsible market players can make to sustainable consumption is an important role for consumer organisations. This month, Euroconsumers will celebrate the consumer brands leading the way on sustainability, price and quality at the third annual BeXt awards.
Making European sustainable mobility a reality with cellulosic ethanol
Est. 5minTransport is responsible for more than 25% of CO2 emissions worldwide and consumes almost 50% of the world’s oil production. The Green Deal calls on transport emissions to fall by 90% by 2050. Without the transport sector bearing its fair …
Testing, Developing, and Operating a Geothermal Energy Solution
Est. 3minIntention is to drill the deepest bore hole in Europe, generate green electricity and test new use cases for the technology. Slovakian company GA Drilling, Finnish company Finest Bay Area Development Oy and …
Academic cooperation and European strategic autonomy – sideshow or part of the puzzle?
Est. 6minThe EU’s strategic autonomy is being ever more tied to the notion of Europe’s (exclusive) access to key technologies, and as a result, academia suddenly finds itself drawn into a conflictual space, writes Thomas Jorgensen.
European Vocational Skills Week: jobs for the future through VET
Est. 3minToday, the green and digital transitions are reshaping our way of life, work and interactions – and the COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically accelerated most of these changes. Nicolas Schmit is the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. The impact of the …
From pandemic to rare disease, medical innovation is the answer
Est. 4minLiving through a global pandemic, we can take some comfort from the enormous collaborative research and development response that is taking place to find a way out from under the shadow of the COVID-19 crisis. Scientists around the world are …
Science could become collateral damage of Brexit
Est. 6minA no-deal Brexit at the end of the year, or even a minimal, thin-deal Brexit, with no provision for cooperation on science, innovation and other crucial fields, would deliver a serious blow to economic competitiveness in the UK and the EU, writes Sir Michael Leigh.
EU Green Deal can help set the tone for CEOs in Davos
Est. 4minThe European Green Deal gives CEOs a major opportunity to lead their companies in ways that can build their brands while also cutting carbon. So what, exactly, should they do? Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and Peter Sweatman have three suggestions.
EU-wide innovation support is key to electrolysis in Europe
Est. 7minThe German government should support the establishment of an EU-wide framework for green hydrogen to keep electrolysis manufacturing competitive, write Matthias Deutsch and Andreas Graf. Matthias Deutsch is a senior associate at Agora Energiewende, a German think …
Increasing Europe’s R&I budget is critical to grow the economy and fight climate change
Est. 5minWithout an increased investment in research and innovation, the European Union will be unable to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and will lose out to economic rivals on the competitive advantage this could present, writes Connie Hedegaard.
What EU innovation policy can learn from professional cycling
Est. 5minMission-oriented innovation is potentially significant in tackling big societal challenges such as climate change. When establishing those missions, the EU could take a few lessons from Britain’s most successful cycling team, writes Simon Skillings.
Greece 4.0: Leveraging technological change for an inclusive and sustained economic recovery
Est. 5minHow can the Greek economy continue its recovery? Investing in skills and technological change will be part of the solution, argues Cyril Muller.
Of funds and values: Conditionality in EU cohesion policy
Est. 6minAs the EU's multi-annual budget is being negotiated, the amounts and efficiency of spending matter but also priorities and European values when disbursing programmes. Smarter conditionality is needed, triggering less political backlash, and, where needed, direct payment to beneficiaries, argue Benedek Jávor and Laszlo Andor.
Leading on innovation for a climate neutral Europe by 2050
Est. 6minInnovation will be required across all sectors of the economy in order to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. This will also be good for the EU’s competitiveness, write Jakop Dalunde and Peter Sweatman.
Making Horizon Europe a tool to truly achieve the Paris Agreement goals
Est. 6minThe EU’s Horizon Europe for research and innovation provides an opportunity to unleash the potential of low-carbon technologies that will help Europe in the transition to a carbon neutral economy. This, however, is contingent on its design, writes Agnese Ruggiero.