Rebooting Europe’s Sustainable Growth and Connectivity with Cisco’s Policy Roadmap

On Sunday, like 185 million of my fellow European citizens, I headed to my local polling station to vote in the European elections. As the banners come down, and the corks and confetti are swept up, the buzz of campaigning will now shift to practical policy making.

When our elected MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) head to Strasbourg for their first session in July, over half of them will be newcomers. The beginning of a new legislative cycle marks a critical moment for reflection on the policies we need to meet the opportunities and challenges facing our society.

Ten Tech Policies to Power Europe’s Future

Cisco’s vision for Europe´s digital strategy post-elections builds on decade of technology know-how and global innovation. It focuses on sustainable growth; leveraging AI and securing cyberspace; skills, partnerships and guardrails for new innovation; protecting rights and connectivity for all. We set out ten pivotal tech policies that we believe will be instrumental for Europe’s advancement. A roadmap for leveraging technology for the greater good.

1. Advance responsible governance of AI globally: AI regulations should be globally compatible and interoperable. It should champion international cooperation to mitigate risks through forums like the G7 Hiroshima Process.
2. Empower the next generation with digital and AI skills: Government, industry and academia should get together to pinpoint and cultivate the AI and digital skills that will be in high demand, ensuring a workforce ready to embrace and leverage AI.
3. Remove outdated digital devices from critical networks: Critical infrastructure operators should be required to remove end-of-life devices, reinforcing EU efforts to strengthen and secure critical infrastructure.
4. Set rules for government handling of security vulnerabilities: Establishing rules akin to the US and UK’s ‘Vulnerability Equities Process’, whereby security vulnerabilities are disclosed to vendors by default, would mitigate economic and social risks to companies and individuals.
5. Finalise an EU-US agreement on government data demands: Concluding a bilateral agreement for data access would meet the needs of law enforcement while protecting citizens’ rights and alleviating legal tensions that are undermining cloud adoption in Europe.
6. Implement an EU connectivity strategy to bolster networks: The EU can accelerate network roll-out by prioritising investment, advancing technology-neutral partnerships, and removing regulatory barriers for cross-border delivery of services.
7. Allocate sufficient spectrum for Wi-Fi: Allocating the upper 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi would meet the rising demand in wireless devices and is crucial to achieving gigabit connectivity in Europe.
8. Enable the clean and green transition with digital solutions: The EU’s industrial, digital, energy, and green policies should be aligned, and access to funding simplified to foster a thriving green single market.
9. Support free trade and green flows of goods and services: Trade barriers to deployment of sustainable technology should be removed, and the EU should align with trade partners to enable a circular digital sector.
10. Partner for new economic innovations: Collaborating with like-minded countries and the private sector to adopt global standards and align export control measures would realise the potential of advanced technologies while enhancing trust, security, and resilience.

A Call to European Policymakers for an Inclusive Future

These ten policy recommendations are a blueprint for a digitally empowered Europe. One where connectivity, cybersecurity, skills, and sustainability are not just goals but the very foundation of an inclusive future.

We are calling on European policymakers to embrace these concrete forward-looking recommendations that supports digital innovation to create a more prosperous, collaborative,  inclusive, and resilient society for all.

Discover more about our vision and the full details of each policy recommendation on our microsite.

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