The European Commission (EC) has defined Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one of the most strategically important technologies of the 21st century, and ‘a Europe fit for the digital age’ is one of six headline ambitions for the current EC cycle. On 19 February 2020, the EC presented its ‘Digital Package’, i.e. a white paper on AI (EC2020a), currently open for public consultation, and the European Data Strategy (EC 2020b).
The European Commission has proposed country-specific recommendations (CSRs) and privded economic policy guidance to all EU Member States in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The recommendations focus on the most urgent challenges brought about by the pandemic and on relaunching sustainable growth.
The recommendations are structured around two objectives:
As part of its emergency support package to tackle the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the EU is setting up a temporary instrument to help workers keep their jobs during the crisis.
The European Commission has mobilised additional €122 million from its research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, for urgently needed research dedicated to the Coronavirus.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), established in 2008, is an EU executive body that aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to innovate. The EIT is an integral part of the Horizon 2020 programme, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
MAKE-IT In Africa is an initiative launched in 2016 by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Germany, together with the private sector, as part of BMZ’s Digital Africa Initiative.The Make-IT Alliance connects the experience and practical knowledge of successful technology companies, associations and entrepreneurship initiatives with the creative potential of young tech entrepreneurs.