Digital Europe programme: MEPs strike deal with Council
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€7.6 billion funding for 2021-2027
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€2.2 billion for supercomputing, €2 billion for artificial intelligence projects
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Programme will finance training of workers
Plans for the EU to deploy digital technologies like AI, supercomputing and data platforms more widely were informally agreed with Council on Monday.
The programme will fund the increase in the capacity of European supercomputing and data processing (€2.2billion), and make supercomputing more accessible and user-friendly in public health especially in health, the environment, security and industry, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
It will strengthen and support artificial intelligence testing and experimentation in health and mobility sectors, and encourage member states to cooperate in this area, with the aim of setting up a European data space. Businesses and public administrations will also be able to use artificial intelligence more (€2 billion).
€1.6 billion are also dedicated to cybersecurity, to strengthen coordination between member states, boost Europe’s capabilities and support the deployment of cyber-security technology, infrastructure and competence across the economy, through initiatives such as the EU cybersecurity competence centre and network. The programme will also help support the existing workforce to train in order to have the skills needed.
Quote
Valter Flego (RE, HR), Rapporteur for the Digital Europe Programme said: “I am convinced that the deal we have sealed on the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) will serve to achieve one of the main EU priorities for the upcoming decade – assure a new generation of digital technologies. Although the Programme was not topped up in the final MFF agreement, it remains the most important tool to reach our goal of asserting Europe’s digital sovereignty. With DEP as one of the EU’s flagship programmes, Europe will be ready to speed up its digital transformation and become a global leader in the digital field.”
Next steps
The informal agreement will be confirmed in a forthcoming meeting of the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) committee.
Background
The Digital Europe Programme aims to build the EU’s strategic digital capacity and deploy digital technologies more widely, so that they can be used by Europe’s citizens, businesses and public administrations. More investments will be made in supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and ensure a wide use of digital capacity across the economy and society. Its goal is to boost Europe’s competitiveness and the green transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 as well as ensure technological sovereignty.
