EU Digital & Tech

?????????? advancing cooperation in key digital areas ? The 8th digital policy dialogue took place today in Brussels taking stock of the achievements, sharing policy updates and setting the way forward for the digital partnership between the EU and Japan. ? Both partners discussed future cooperation opportunities in the areas of microchips, online platforms, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, and more. ? The dialogue also touched upon future joint research cooperation, including in semiconductors and quantum as well as on the ongoing work towards interoperability of digital identity solutions. ? Find out more: https://europa.eu/!VfTxNg #DigitalEU?

?? Advancing European tech one STEP at a time! ? The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) has mobilised over €15 billion to boost investment in critical technologies in the EU. ? The platform promotes excellence in key sectors such as digital tech & deep-tech innovation, clean & resource-efficient tech and biotech while providing more streamlined support and access to EU funding. ? From a large-scale underground thermal energy storage system in Vienna that enables renewable heat supply during winter, to an Open Large Language Model covering all 24 EU languages, STEP has funded several projects across the EU during its first year. ? ?? Discover 12 STEP projects: https://europa.eu/!B4ngd8 ?? Learn more: https://europa.eu/!w9GgBv ? #DigitalEU #EUfunded

???The virtual worlds toolbox is out! ? It offers?practical information on how virtual spaces function and accessible guidance to navigate them safely, including cybersecurity tips,?protection against disinformation, and existing rights within the EU. ? These online resources are part of the EU Strategy on Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds, aimed at steering the next technological transition and ensuring an open, secure, trustworthy, fair and inclusive digital environment for everyone. ? ?? Access the toolbox and make the most out of these digital spaces: https://europa.eu/!TqgNYb ? #VirtualWorldsEU #DigitalEU

Here's your weekly #DigitalDigest: ??AI Board: Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen met high-level representatives from all EU countries to shape a coordinated and future-proof approach to AI governance across the EU https://europa.eu/!m9FVkX ??AI Pact Webinar: Join this session online on April 3 and learn about the guidelines for prohibited AI practices under the AI Act and the definition of an AI system https://europa.eu/!mTdF8Q ??Digital Europe Programme: €1.3 billion funding for the new 2025-2027 work programme to support critical digital technologies and to boost AI innovation in Europe https://europa.eu/!cGh9kv

The future of key technologies in Europe is now. The new work programme for 2025-2027 of the Digital Europe Programme was just adopted and it is set to fund critical digital technologies, key in boosting AI innovation in Europe and contributing to EU tech sovereignty and competitiveness. With €1.3 billion, the programme will focus on: ?? Making Europe an AI continent, thriving on the development, integration and adoption of AI. ?? Supporting the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) as a means for the large-scale deployment of AI via the support of private and public organisations across Europe. ?? The development of the Destination Earth initiative that will build a digital twin of Earth to support climate adaptation and disaster risk management. ?? Facilitating the new EU Digital Identity Wallet architecture and its European Trust Infrastructure ?? Boosting cyber resilience, developing EU education and training institutions capacity in digital & much more! Check out the press release to find out more: https://europa.eu/!cGh9kv #DigitalEUProgramme #AIinEurope #DigitalEU

?? Don’t miss the fourth AI Pact webinar! Dedicated to interested stakeholders, the next live webinar will focus on: ? The guidelines for prohibited AI practices, what is outside the scope of the prohibitions, the broader context of the AI Act’s risk-based approach, and how these guidelines align with the EU’s commitment to safeguarding fundamental rights and ethical AI development. ? The recently published guidelines on the definition of an AI system that will facilitate the effective application of the Act’s rule. ?? Thursday, 3 April, 10-11:30 CET ?? Live on DigitalEU YouTube channel ? More details: https://europa.eu/!mTdF8Q ? #AIinEurope #DigitalEU

Interested in being part of the Strategic Advisory Board of Destination Earth? ? Apply by ???? ?????????? to become an independent expert for the next two years! ? The Board will be composed of approximately 15 European high-level technical and scientific experts that will: ? → provide?advice and expertise to?the Commission on?the strategic direction and further development of the Destination Earth initiative →?connect existing scientific and technological initiatives, and advise on the state of the art in the relevant fields →?foster exchanges of experience and highlight good practices in the fields critical to Destination Earth ? ? Apply now: https://europa.eu/!BngbV4 ?? Learn more about the Destination Earth initiative: destination-earth.eu ? #DestinE #DigitalEU #CallForExperts

Have you ever experienced issues while making purchases through a website or an app? You are not alone. One-third of online shoppers in the EU faced issues in 2023. Among the EU countries, the highest shares of customers who encountered problems were recorded in Luxembourg (55.5%), the Netherlands (55.2%) and Spain (49.7%). By contrast, the lowest shares were reported in Portugal (4.3%), Latvia (13.8%) and Cyprus (14.8%). ? The EU is addressing these challenges with initiatives such as: ?? the Digital Services Act: https://europa.eu/!WXQWDT ?? the E-commerce communication: https://europa.eu/!fPDy4C Discover the most common problems reported by consumers via Eurostat: https://europa.eu/!PjDKQg.

Today I had the opportunity to meet with the AI Board in Brussels to discuss key steps in the implementation of the #AIAct, as well as engage in a strategic discussion on the EU’s broader AI policy. This meeting is a vital forum that brings together high-level representatives from all EU countries. It offers valuable insights into emerging AI trends and regulatory challenges, and plays a key role in shaping a coordinated and future-proof approach to AI governance across the EU. We exchanged on the Commission’s latest initiatives, priorities and ambitions for AI in Europe - a topic that I will also speak about tomorrow during a Financial Times Live interview. Find out more here: https://europa.eu/!m9FVkX #DigitalEU #AI #EU

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