Digital Issues High on New European Presidency, EC Agendas

Artificial intelligence is among top tech priorities for the new European Commission and EU presidency. One key policy area for new EC President Ursula von der Leyen, a "Europe fit for the digital age," calls for legislation within her first 100 days in office on a coordinated European approach to "the human and ethical implications" of AI. The Croatian presidency, which took office Jan.1, is focused on 5G and looking toward AI and other emerging technologies. The EC approach backs a more collaborative, cross-topic approach to policymaking, those we spoke with said.

Three officials lead on EC digital policy. Margrethe Vestager, the new executive vice-president for a Europe fit for the digital age, remains in charge of competition policy but is also now charged with coordinating a European approach to AI (mission letter here). Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton's job encompasses AI and a new data strategy. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders is responsible for AI and consumer protection policy and for enforcement of the general data protection regulation (GDPR).

Reynders also leads on the proposed ePrivacy directive, which updates existing privacy rules for communications providers. National representatives to the EU rejected the latest proposal, which means the EC will have to withdraw the proposal and decide what to do next, said Information Technology Industry Council Vice President-Europe Guido Lobrano in an interview this month.

The proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) is a big issue, said Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe Senior Public Policy Manager Greg Mroczkowski. It would revise the e-commerce directive, which regulates internet intermediary liability. Talks have been underway for about a year, Mroczkowski said. IAB expects a public consultation in Q1 or Q2.

A GDPR review process is in the works, said Mroczkowski. Last year's mid-term review was fairly high level, but the next review may involve more discussion on substance of the law, he said. IAB expects some movement in the debate on disinformation as the EC assesses whether industry self-regulation is working. Values and Transparency Commissioner Vera Jourova, the former justice commissioner, will likely act on political advertising and may remain involved with the GDPR, he said. Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will handle copyright, including national implementation of EU copyright revision legislation, Lobrano said.

Recognition is growing that digital/tech policy mustn't be handled in separate silos, Lobrano said. The EC is trying to build synergies in areas such as the DSA, said Mroczkowski.

Technological aspects will have a more "prominent weight" in the activity of the new commission, emailed consultant Innocenzo Genna: Areas getting most attention will be technological sovereignty -- Europe's ability to reduce its dependence on vendors and non-European technology suppliers -- and regulation of global platforms and cybersecurity. Those cybersecurity efforts will "entail a reflection and a new approach on the problem of security at multiple levels, consumers, infrastructure and national security," the expert said. Breton appears to have his own agenda on technological sovereignty, European champions and the fight against global platforms, Genna said.

Von der Leyen's emphasis on AI "fits well with AI also being our top priority for the digital sector," emailed a spokesperson for the European Consumer Organisation. "Our starting point is that we expect AI to serve rather than harm consumers."

The EU presidency is focused on rolling out 5G networks and ensuring their cybersecurity, it said. It's also looking toward a "breakthrough to new areas, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of things and the related data economy." The presidency will also continue talks on the ePrivacy proposal and blockchain technology.