Europe is seeking a path to greater digital autonomy – and the summit in Berlin sends a strong signal for this. Transform IT Europe accompanies this change as a source of inspiration and a networker for the European tech landscape.
By Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle; Photo (c) BMDS/Woithe
At the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty in Berlin this week, Germany and France made it unmistakably clear that Europe needs to become more independent – technologically, economically, and strategically. Around 900 guests from politics, business, and the European tech ecosystem discussed how the continent can make the leap from digital laggard to active designer.
The debate was marked by an impressive scenario: Should there be a failure of digital services from the USA or China, administration, business, and large parts of society would hardly be able to act. This dependence is no longer sustainable in view of global tensions, explained Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Germany and France Take the Lead
Germany and France therefore want to move forward together. At the Berlin EUREF Campus, Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron made it clear that Europe must develop its own cloud, AI, and software solutions – not out of isolation, but out of strategic necessity.
The EU digital ministers spoke out in favor of less bureaucracy, more investment, and faster promotion of European technology providers.
The State as an Innovation Driver
A central theme of the summit was the role of the state. In the future, public administration should act more strongly as an “anchor customer” and consciously use European technologies. Open source is gaining in importance, as are new standards that are intended to guarantee that critical data remains in Europe.
Among other things, open European alternatives to widespread Microsoft products for authorities, new plans for additional European data centers and AI models, and the digital EU wallet as a secure identity and document hub for citizens were presented.
TransformIT Europe accompanies this development as a networker and source of inspiration for the European digital economy. The trade fair brings together companies, innovators, and authorities, supports the development of sovereign cloud and AI solutions, and consistently focuses on how Europe’s digital resilience can be strengthened.
Europe is at a Turning Point
The summit has shown: The digital future of Europe is still open. The train has not left – but Europe must now accelerate.
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