The European Union is seeking to transform its economy through artificial intelligence while reducing its dependence on foreign technology providers, according to Henna Virkkunen, who outlined the bloc\u2019s ambitions during a debate in the European Parliament on digital sovereignty.<\/p>\n
Addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Virkkunen said the European Commission\u2019s goal is to create a more resilient economy, strengthen supply chains and reinforce Europe\u2019s technological sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected digital world. She argued that the EU must reach a position where it can make independent decisions in an environment where technology and politics are becoming ever more closely linked. According to the commissioner, the emergence of increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models has created new cybersecurity challenges, making it essential for European legislation to safeguard the bloc\u2019s digital sovereignty.<\/p>\n
Virkkunen also stressed the importance of ensuring technological sovereignty within the public sector. She called for clear criteria governing cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to strengthen the EU\u2019s cybersecurity and resilience while preventing European businesses and public institutions from becoming overly dependent on major global technology companies. \u2018Technological sovereignty does not mean isolation or protectionism,\u2019 she said. \u2018It means a stronger, less vulnerable and more resilient European Union.\u2019 To achieve these goals, the commissioner said the EU would require investments of approximately \u20ac450 billion over the next decade.<\/p>\n
During the debate, Ern\u0151 Schaller-Baross of Hungary\u2019s Fidesz party said strengthening digital sovereignty, developing infrastructure and creating jobs were important and widely supported objectives. However, he argued that Europe\u2019s digital competitiveness would depend not only on major investments but also on its ability to create a regulatory environment that encourages innovation, supports businesses and allows technological development to flourish. Schaller-Baross also questioned whether the EU\u2019s growing spending on technology projects was appropriately balanced against funding pressures affecting cohesion policy, rural development programmes and agricultural support.<\/p>\n
Fellow Fidesz MEP Andr\u00e1s L\u00e1szl\u00f3 said Europe remained significantly behind the United States and China in innovation and digital sovereignty. He pointed to a shortage of software and hardware engineers, limited semiconductor manufacturing capacity, high energy prices that discourage data centre investments and what he described as excessive regulation.<\/p>\n
D\u00f3ra D\u00e1vid of the Tisza Party said technology has become a defining element of everyday life rather than simply a collection of tools and devices. She warned that dependence on chips, software and cloud services controlled outside Europe could potentially be used against European interests. D\u00e1vid argued that Europe must possess alternatives throughout the entire technology value chain to ensure that citizens, businesses and public services retain reliable access to essential digital services.<\/p>\n
Andr\u00e1s L\u00e1szl\u00f3 added that Europe often imitates technological innovations developed elsewhere rather than leading them. He argued that genuine digital sovereignty requires becoming an innovation leader rather than a follower.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Zsuzsanna Borvend\u00e9g of Hungary\u2019s Our Homeland (Mi Haz\u00e1nk) party criticized the EU\u2019s position in the global technology market, claiming that Europe remains heavily dependent on large international technology companies. She argued that migration policies, support for Ukraine and the costs associated with the green transition have reduced the financial resources available for technological development while contributing to higher energy prices. Borvend\u00e9g also called for stricter enforcement of EU regulations against major technology firms, arguing that digital sovereignty should begin with ensuring that large technology companies comply with European laws.<\/p>\n
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