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EU – Unlocking the Future: How can new technologies drive productivity and economic growth for everyone?

Our “2024 Voices – Citizens Speak Up!” report highlights a strong demand for stronger policies, AI investment, and digital upskilling to drive innovation and economic growth.

We sat down with Arba Kokalari, MEP, European’s People Party, Karen Massin, Head Government Affairs and Public Policy (EU Institutions), Google, Serena Borbotti-Frison, Director General at Allied For Startups and Co-Founder & General Secretary at Réseau Ariane to discuss:

  • Strengthening Europe’s Technological Edge: How can Europe modernise its infrastructure and policies to create a more competitive and innovative tech landscape?

Europe should adopt an innovation-based approach to remain globally competitive, said Arba Kokalari, emphasising how excessive bureaucracy and complex regulations hinder startups, diverting resources from innovation to compliance.

  • Technology and Economic Growth: How can we overcome the negative perceptions of AI and technology, and leverage them to drive equitable growth? 

Karen Massin points out the need to make AI and other technologies more familiar to increase acceptance. As people already use AI daily (e.g., Gmail, Google Photos), she addresses public concerns and encourages a new approach to embracing AI.

  • Harnessing AI for Growth: What steps can businesses and governments take to utilise AI’s potential while mitigating job losses and ensuring workers are prepared for the shift in the EU? 

We need to make sure that workers are trained from their childhood to approach the market, said Serena Borbotti-Frison. AI and innovation can represent an opportunity for new jobs to be created, but Europe must not lag behind and seize the opportunity.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.