As Europe gears up for the elections, BSA asked its EMEA-based members to answer the following question: What are the top opportunities we expect for tech policy during the European Commission’s upcoming term?
And the consensus among industry leaders and experts is clear: there are significant opportunities ahead for shaping impactful tech policy in Europe. From fostering innovation and digital transformation to addressing regulatory complexities and global cooperation, there is a shared vision for advancing Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in the digital age.
Here are their responses:
Bernardo Matos, Senior Director EU Government Relations, Bentley Systems
The next five years will focus on implementation, from the AI Act to the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act, to name but a few.
Concurrently, there is a growing realization that the two tracks of the twin transition – green and digital – have remained too far apart in EU policymaking. This is particularly true when it comes to infrastructure, where we often approach energy, water, and transport in isolation, even though they are all connected.
We are hopeful that EU policymakers will embrace data-centricity and collaboration with the private sector to address those gaps. For example, the upcoming revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework is a great opportunity to incentivize the adoption of digital technologies throughout the infrastructure lifecycle, from design to construction, operation, and disassembly. Done right, this will greatly accelerate the Green Deal and enhance the EU’s resilience, security, and competitiveness in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Chris Gow, Senior Director for EU Public Policy and Government Affairs, Cisco
To secure Europe’s Digital Decade success, the EU needs to accelerate its cyber and AI readiness through skills and interoperable frameworks that resolve legal conflict and confusion. Amid accelerated digitization through AI, new hybrid models, underlined by a fast-evolving cyber threat landscape, Cisco strongly encourages global cooperation across digital policy.
The EU’s continuous engagement in developing a global framework for responsible AI governance following the G7 Hiroshima Process will be critical to avoid inefficiencies, confusion, and conflicts. Furthermore, the EU should invest in understanding the evolution of the workforce and in initiatives to empower Europe’s workers and citizens with the right skills for AI.
To bolster cybersecurity, the EU should accelerate removing outdated connected devices and establish clear rules for handling security vulnerabilities. Further, concluding an EU-U.S. agreement on government data demands will greatly contribute to protecting citizens’ rights and alleviating data sovereignty tensions.
Jean-Marc Leclerc, Director – Head of EU Policy, IBM
The incoming Commission should focus on boosting economic growth, resilience, and innovation in Europe. Two objectives remain top of mind during the upcoming term: encouraging the adoption of competitive technologies like AI and implementing Europe’s expansive body of digital rules—rather than introducing new ones. In particular, the Commission should focus on addressing administrative and regulatory barriers in the Single Market while recognizing the significance of diverse business models, especially in the B2B sector. It should ensure effective governance and implementation of digital regulations, especially the EU AI Act, while avoiding discriminatory policies against non-EU companies.
Additionally, restoring Europe’s open trade policy, resisting protectionism, and aligning with economic security allies are important elements.
Finally, it is imperative to address Europe’s digital skill shortage by setting ambitious national KPIs for implementing digital skills recommendations.
Antoine Larpin, Vice President – Government Affairs & Policy, Europe, Kyndryl
During its 2019-2024 term, the EU has pioneered regulations across many new areas, including sustainability, AI, data, and cloud, with the ambition to make Europe fit for the digital age. However, the task remains incomplete. Several of these regulations are pending further legislative and implementation measures. They include more than 60 initiatives from the EU AI Act alone, more regulatory standards for DORA, and local transpositions for NIS2. Organizations operating in Europe now have an opportunity to work with regulators to implement these regulations. While this endeavor may entail less political involvement, it remains a technical necessity essential for the digital transformation of the EU economy.
The post-2024 EU agenda also offers an opportunity to recalibrate the tech policy to focus on investment, competitiveness, and the adoption of new technologies. Organizations of all sizes and from all sectors will benefit from policy actions that boost Europe’s economic resilience and scale.
Irina Michalowitz, Senior Director Policy and Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks
The next Commission has an opportunity to demonstrate how recent regulation of technology policy, particularly in data governance, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, delivers. Thorough, smart implementation and continuous examination of the initiatives that are about to enter into force are crucial for advancing the EU’s economic competitiveness. Strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities is another significant challenge, requiring the Commission to play a central role in ensuring safety and facilitating cooperation among Member States.
However, the Commission faces a complex landscape. Striking a balance between a desire for strategic autonomy while avoiding disadvantageous protectionist measures is essential. Proactive engagement with stakeholders, including industry, civil society, the new European Parliament, and Member State governments, is necessary for inclusive decision-making and trust-building. Effective management of these dynamics will allow the Commission to advance its tech policy agenda, enhance Europe’s competitiveness, and address societal concerns in order to build a resilient and prosperous future.
Eric Loeb, Executive Vice President – Government Affairs, Salesforce
As the EU elections approach, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment, and the European Commission faces significant opportunities to shape tech policy. With the recent adoption of the EU AI Act, we’re energized to see the EU take coordinated action to advance responsible, interoperable, risk-based, and globally applicable AI norms.
Looking forward, we expect AI to remain top of mind, and support the continuing dialogue around risk-based and globally interoperable AI policy frameworks in fora including the UN, G7, OECD, and EU-US Trade and Technology Council. AI is not a monolithic technology and emphasis should be placed on regulation that is risk-based, builds trust and promotes innovation.
With this as an underlying foundation, the next term offers opportunities to inspire innovation in the EU and establish a trusted environment for companies and governments to adopt cloud computing and AI technologies.
Andreas Tegge, Head of Global Government Relations, SAP
The next European Commission must change its overall digital policy objectives, moving beyond the role of “global champion” for technology regulation. It should put a stronger emphasis on unleashing the full potential of digital technologies for European citizens and businesses, aiming to transform the EU into a digital powerhouse by 2030. Three overarching objectives should guide this transformation.
Firstly, achieving the EU Digital Decade target by 2030, with clear KPIs for skills development, digital transformation of business, digital infrastructure, the digitally enabled green transition and digitalization of public services.
Secondly, completing the Digital Single Market so that digital business models can scale in Europe: overcoming market fragmentation, reducing unnecessary regulatory burden, and eliminating overlaps and inconsistencies.
Lastly, fostering European Leadership in the Industrial Internet, by seizing opportunities in major global technology trends: AI, digital supply chains, digital-enabled green transition, and cloud computing.
Fabrizio Porrino, Head of Government Relations – EMEA, ServiceNow
Digital transformation has been a hot topic for many years. Unfortunately, despite the acceleration via NextGenEU’s funds, its development is still very heterogeneous today.
The key priority must be tackling the digital divide across regions and countries, among age and income groups, and between citizens with different levels of education. Faster and better adoption by the public sector is crucial to bridging local, regional, national, and cross-border gaps, driving deployment, innovation, and inclusion of all citizens. Reform of public procurement is essential to foster faster and better adoption and innovation. A pause and check to simplify the regulatory landscape, which is increasingly complex, is necessary, adding an additional layer of complexity to deliver digital transformation.
Jens-Henrik Jeppesen, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs – EMEA & APJ, Workday
2024 is an opportunity to refocus technology policy on building competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and growth. EU and Member State policymakers should focus on digital transformation and on meeting the Digital Decade goals. Accelerated uptake of cloud and AI technologies is a top priority, and European companies and public sector organizations should rapidly adopt skills-based employment practices. Completing the Single Market is a key requirement for meeting these goals.
Europe’s “digital rulebook” must be implemented with coherence and consistency across the European Union, enabling companies to grow and scale in the EU and beyond. Externally, we urge policymakers to foster strong digital partnerships with Europe’s allies and like-minded countries, building international dialogue and collaboration on technology policy. European companies and governments should be able to access the best digital technology solutions from trusted global partners, and the EU should promote global standards, and facilitate open data flows, both bilaterally and multilaterally.