European policymakers and digital cooperation experts struggle to explain how the EU’s ‘human-centric’ approach to digital transformation differs from the ‘people-centred’ development approach championed by China. The EU needs to demonstrate that its human-centric approach encompasses a focus on economic and social development while also emphasising civil and political rights.
The EU commits itself to a ‘human-centric’ approach to digital transformation at home and in its digital diplomacy and international cooperation. The term has strong roots in key EU documents on digital rights and sovereignty, but the definition is not as self-evident as it may appear to many in Brussels. Does a human-centric approach go beyond the easier-to-define ‘human-rights based approach’, in that it looks beyond digital rights to issues of gender inclusion and environmental sustainability? And how does it differ from ‘people-centred’ development promoted by China?
Brussels insiders would rather bite off their tongues than use the term people-centred, which has gained traction internationally but is often associated with China’s focus on collective socio-economic development over individual civil and political rights. So far, the EU has failed to explain the difference to those outside its bubble. To convince its digital cooperation partners of the human-centric concept, the EU has to show that its approach both encompasses and surpasses China’s offer. The central argument would be that development and human rights do not have to be in contradiction.
“To convince its digital cooperation partners of the human-centric concept, the EU has to show that its human-centric approach both encompasses and surpasses China’s offer.”
Human, person, people, citizens
Let’s take a step back and look at the underlying definitions. Humans are distinguished from other primates because they walk on two legs and have larger brains, which allows them to use language, reason and plan for the future. This leads to their capacity for technological development, for creating complex social organisations, and for forming religious beliefs.
We ascribe personhood to humans based on these characteristics, but some human beings may not qualify under this definition – whereas certain animals or AI systems might. Citizen is an even narrower term in that it refers to a person in relation to their belonging to a state or nation.
The word people has its origins in the Latin word populus, which was a collective term for the (not very inclusive) Roman citizen body. But the English word is very broadly used – as a generic term for humans, but also for groups or communities of humans.
The EU’s definition for human rights in the digital age
Human rights – enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – are the broadest internationally recognised category for protecting all humans, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, ability or socio-economic status. The EU has applied them to the digital age in the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade.
Apart from classic human rights such as freedom of expression, the right to privacy and freedom from discrimination, the declaration spells out the right to high-quality connectivity and digital public services, to digital skills and fair working conditions, to fair competition, and to environmentally sustainable digital products and services. In the 2030 Digital Compass, in which the EU lays out its digital transformation aims, connectivity, skills, as well as private and public-sector digitalisation are laid out as prerequisites for ‘digital citizenship’, which it defines as full participation in economic and societal activities.
But what about people? ‘Putting people at the centre of the digital transformation’ is the title of Chapter I of the European Declaration on Digital Rights, which states that “[t]echnology should serve and benefit all people living in the EU and empower them to pursue their aspirations, in full security and respect for their fundamental rights.
The EU’s Digital 4 Development Hub translates this to international cooperation: “Team Europe (the EU and its Member States) is committed to international partnerships that shape a digital future driven by people’s needs, fundamental rights, and answers to intersectional challenges to closing the digital divides.” This language also aligns with that of other liberal democracies. ‘Put people first and respect human rights’ is one of four cardinal principles in USAID’s Digital Policy Strategy 2024-2034.
About the Author
Sabine Muscat is a senior policy analyst at the intersection of digital policy, geopolitics, media and democracy. She advises think tanks as well as the public sector and CSOs on international digital policy with a focus on EU-US-China and North-South relations.