Innovation
Europe seeks a comprehensive strategy to lift its competitiveness
The dominance of US firms and Chinese companies in the digital world has sounded the alarm bells in Europe. EU and national officials have agreed that the competitiveness of European firms requires a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond easing the bloc's competition rules.
OECD calls for bigger EU budget to deal with digital revolution
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defended a larger budget for the EU, saying the bloc's funding is already “stretched” despite new challenges like digitalisation.
Investment in ‘first class connectivity infrastructure’ a priority, Commission says
The cable industry's ambitions of ubiquitous gigabit connectivity have long been hindered by a number of obstacles, including patchy coverage and consumer trust issues. Carlota Reyners Fontana explains what the EU Commission is doing to improve the bloc's broadband gaps.
Bringing industry emissions down to net-zero is possible. Here’s how.
The EU needs an industrial strategy that helps basic material industries achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and innovation needs to be a large part of it, write Tomas Wyns and Gauri Khandekar.
What EU innovation policy can learn from professional cycling
Mission-oriented innovation is potentially significant in tackling big societal challenges such as climate change. When establishing those missions, the EU could take a few lessons from Britain’s most successful cycling team, writes Simon Skillings.
European innovation council ramps up with improved pilot phase
The European Commission announced on Monday (18 March) new changes to the European Innovation Council and a budget increase to €2 billion, to improve and encourage entrepreneurs and innovation in Europe.
EU bets on innovation to secure energy transition
Breakthrough climate-change-busting technologies are set to benefit from €10 billion in EU funding over the next decade, as the European Commission confirmed its punt on a major new innovation fund.
‘No alternative’ to digital construction, expert says
The digitisation of the EU's construction industry is an oft-overlooked area of technological development, both politically and socially. EURACTIV.com spoke to Milena Feustel to shine a light on the sector and explore the direction the digital construction is going in across Europe.
Katainen: Innovation needed to address climate issues
During a week in which the European Commission hosts the 2019 EU Industry Days, a series of conferences that examine key industrial challenges, EURACTIV sat down with Vice-President Jyrki Katainen to find out how far the EU's industries have come since 2014.
France becoming more attractive to German investors
While German companies already have a strong presence in France, more and more of them want to invest in the country, attracted by the French government’s digital policy, among other reasons. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission to hike EU investment in defence innovation
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (June 13) to hike from €90 million to €13 billion the budgetary funds earmarked for strengthening the EU's strategic autonomy in collective security by boosting cross-border research and innovation in the field of defence.
EU aims for the stars with new €100 billion innovation fund
European Commission detailed on Thursday (7 June) plans to strengthen its science and innovation fund, focusing on disruptive innovations and financing “a couple of good missions” that would inspire people as the moon-landing project did, commissioner Carlos Moedas said.
The EU is right to refuse legal personality for Artificial Intelligence
The European Commission’s recent outline of an artificial intelligence strategy does not give in to European Parliament calls to grant personhood for AI. The Commission is right in this, though not for the reasons mentioned in a recent open letter published by experts, writes Thomas Burri.
France, Germany push EU funding for tech start-ups
France and Germany are pushing for an EU-wide initiative to fund innovation and research in tech start-up projects across the bloc so that Europe can compete more effectively against the likes of China and the United States.
Clean energy innovation: How Europe can make a real difference
Public-private partnerships are vital to achieving the leap forward, deploying new clean technologies at scale and fast, writes Maroš Šefčovič.
Ahead of digital revolution, small Czech firms still struggle with slow internet
The Czech Republic is one of the most industrialised EU states and its big companies do not fear digitalisation. However, SMEs are afraid of job losses and have asked for help with the costly transformation.
‘Juncker plan’ mobilises €284 billion in investment
The EU’s investment fund set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis has mobilised €284 billion to date, mostly in private capital, surpassing the halfway point of its 2020 target.
Twenty-four EU countries sign artificial intelligence pact in bid to compete with US and China
Twenty-four EU countries pledged to band together to form a “European approach” to artificial intelligence in a bid to compete with American and Asian tech giants.
Macron eyes AI at European level
Emmanuel Macron unveiled the French strategy for artificial intelligence, stressing the need for Europe to get on board.
Return of the JEDI: European disruptive technology initiative ready to launch
When French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the creation of a European innovation body modelled on the US DARPA last September, few believed it possible. But the Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI) is taking shape.
Chinese firm Huawei leads European patent applications
For the first time in the history of the European Patent Office, a Chinese company came on top in terms of patent applications in 2017, a year that saw a new record in the number of requests for intellectual property protection in Europe.
Polish mayor: ‘The future belongs to cities’
The city of Wrocław is one of Poland’s success stories, where job creation has hit record highs and environmental objectives are taken seriously. Wrocław’s long-serving mayor revealed his city’s future-leaning path and the advantages of being part of a Europe-wide network of mayors.
The battle for Cohesion policy: Preventing further Balkanisation of Europe
Cohesion policy is the glue of the European Union, however with Brexit and the decisions on the post 2020 budget , some changes may be made. Lambert van Nistelrooij breaks down the three main options the Commission has put forward in regards to cohesion policy.