On 19 February, the European Commission presented their new initiatives in the digital sector, including the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence and the European Data Strategy, which aim to offer digital solutions that put people first, open up new opportunities for businesses, and boost the development of trustworthy technology in Europe. Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton attended a joint IMCO and ITRE Meeting to explain the main points of this digital package to the Members.

Renew Europe Group firmly believes that AI and regulated data management can make a huge contribution to improving the lives of European citizens and fostering prosperity within the EU, but it must also protect our fundamental rights and freedoms.

Dita Charanzová, Renew Europe's Coordinator of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), said:

“We need to push for Europe to be a leader in digital platforms and AI, and I welcome the Commission’s proposals. We must not let regulation stand in the way of innovation and research. Regulation must set out the principles of where we want to go, but it is the private sector that will take us there. Our current directives and laws have worked, this is why I can welcome that this is an update which does not seek the destruction of an e-commerce system that works.” 

Martina Dlabajová, Renew Europe's Coordinator of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) said:

"I am glad the Commission presented today a vision that aims at giving our industry a real opportunity to thrive in the Digital Age. We need to support our companies to harness the opportunities of AI and industrial and commercial data. Now we have to start delivering on these ideas. We need to work closely – us in the European Parliament, together with the Commission and Member States – to ensure that sufficient resources will be invested to match our ambitions and that new measures will keep our SMEs at the centre of this equation."

Watch a recording of the event below.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1137468999929806