Innovation

Happy as a ‘sandbox’: Bulgaria’s tech upsurge

The creation of a "sandbox" - a safe environment where FinTech companies can test their products - is big news for Bulgaria and the entire tech community in Central and Eastern Europe, write Eduard Tsvetanov and Filip Genov.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to save the generation Europe left behind

To establish a new Europe that moves forward, it is important that Europe seizes technological innovation to ensure young Europeans are not left behind, writes Andrianos Giannou.

More space for more Europe

2018 will be a crucial year to shape a stimulating new narrative for EU space policy. Jean-Loic Galle lists a couple of key points ahead of the 10th EU space policy conference taking place in Brussels on 23 and 24 January.

Europe is recovering but needs to confront lingering dangers to its unity

Europe is on the road to recovery which means now is the time for it to take the lead on a global scale and tackle the concerns and needs of its citizens, write Martina Larkin and Eckart Windhagen.

Europe needs more money for research, here’s where to get it

The lack of funding needed to achieve Europe's widely advertised ambitions for global excellence in research and innovation should be addressed in discussing Horizon 2020’s successor. Understanding the challenge and where the money could realistically come from is key, writes Thomas Estermann.

A European education area: How to make it work for Europe

In line with Emmanuel Macron's speech and discussions at the recent Social Summit in Gothenburg, let's puts education at the heart of a more social and prosperous Europe, argue Michael Gaebel and Thomas Jorgensen.

Mission possible: Vision 2030!

EU needs more, better and smarter money to convert research and innovation into engines for growth and jobs, writes Nils Røkke.  European researchers stand ready to foster competitiveness, creating new and disruptive industries. But only if we work together. Here is how.

Beyond Horizon 2020: Europe’s winning streak of innovation and research ambition

Despite the programme’s shortcomings, Horizon 2020 is one of the greatest things that ever happened to EU research and innovation. But it’s time to rethink the respective financing through the EU budget, writes Andrey Novakov.

Benifei: Embed blockchain in copyright reform

Blockchain technology can provide a win-win-win between the fight against censorship, verified traceability of digital artworks, and a fair remuneration for its creators. The copyright reform debate is a good opportunity to embed blockchain and create a better regulatory framework, argues Brando Benifei.

Cohesion funds can stop Europe from moving at different speeds

Cross-border and inter-regional cooperation in cohesion and research & development spending is still limited, but very much needed to prevent a multi-speed Europe writes Lambert van Nistelrooij. To unlock Europe's growth opportunities, the MEP calls for smart regional specialisation and an Innovation Pact 2.0.

If Europe wants to lead, it needs to invest in digital skills

Northern European countries are in a strong position to reap the benefits of digitalisation, according to new research from McKinsey. But this will depend on how fast companies adopt new technologies, and how quickly people can acquire the skills needed for new, or different jobs, writes Iarla Flynn.

Time to bust a few myths about innovation in the internet of things era

Small European tech companies might be about to lose out if the European Commission's new patent guidelines favour giants like Qualcomm and Ericsson, writes Morgan Reed.

European SMEs can lead the world in the IoT revolution

European firms can lead the economy of tomorrow if our small and medium-sized companies obtain the necessary support, notably when it comes to innovation incentives and patent litigation, writes Hassan Triqui.

Europe needs an industrial strategy

Calls for the European Commission to develop a holistic EU industrial policy are a welcome development – and one that was long overdue, writes Adrian Harris. If Europe’s Industrial Renaissance is to succeed, a joined-up policy approach is a must, he argues.

March for Science: Is the basis of the knowledge society being eroded?

After years of sluggish advance, the house of world economics looks generally strong. However, those who ensure the knowledge base for growth, the scientists and researchers, face threats to their system, writes Thomas Jorgensen.

EU copyright directive means trouble for our startups

Startups in Europe can only be successful if they have solid rules in the online space. But in an attempt to limit the power of tech giants, the European Union risks hampering the next generation of European startups too, writes Lenard Koschwitz.

The Commission’s innovation confusion

Unless the European Commission changes its attitude, the innovation gap between Europe and the US will likely increase, and it could be overtaken soon by China, with dire consequences for living standards, warns Philip Stevens.

Robots won’t steal your job, they’ll make work more interesting

Despite technological progress promising to solve many of Europe’s problems, people still worry about robots and automation costing jobs. But this anxiety is based on fear, not reason, warns Thilo Brodtmann.