The EU's digital transition sparks an innovation and connectivity renaissance

The European Council has introduced “A digital future for Europe,” a forward-thinking policy designed to lead businesses into a new era of digital excellence. This initiative outlines essential strategies for integrating digital technologies across various sectors, aiming to position Europe as a leader in the global digital economy.

Digital transformation is too important to the EU's sustainable economic growth and strategic independence vision. Through a series of targeted policies, the EU aspires to create a secure, inclusive digital ecosystem that respects personal freedoms. This initiative highlights the necessity of making digital life both safe and user-friendly for all Europeans.

The influence of digital technologies is far-reaching, reshaping our modes of communication, work practices, and daily routines. The EU recognizes these technologies as key to solving many of Europe's contemporary challenges. They hold the potential to generate employment, enhance educational opportunities, and boost innovation and competitiveness. Moreover, digital advancements are crucial in combating climate change, supporting sustainable development, and facilitating a green transition.

By investing in robust digital infrastructure, the EU aims to ensure that all citizens can reap the benefits of technological progress. The policy underscores the importance of inclusivity, striving to close the digital divide and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or location, can participate in and benefit from the digital age.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization has become essential for economic recovery and strengthening healthcare practices. The situation has accelerated the EU's drive towards technological innovation, particularly in eHealth and advanced technologies like cloud computing, quantum technologies, and high-performance computing.

The EU is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive digital environment for all citizens and businesses to ensure our societies and economies are prepared for the digital age. This involves advocating a digital transformation that upholds EU values, safeguards fundamental rights, and enhances security while also boosting Europe’s digital sovereignty.

As part of the Digital Compass initiative, the EU aims to adopt a European declaration on digital rights and principles. This declaration outlines citizens' rights in the digital realm and establishes a framework of principles that both the EU and its member states will uphold during the digital transformation.

The motto is clear: “Fundamental rights should be equally respected online and offline.”

Building a data-driven economy

As technology advances, the volume of available data continues to surge. The Council aims to create a unified data market that aligns with EU values, promoting extensive data sharing and reuse across various sectors and borders.

The anticipated growth is substantial. By 2025, the EU projects:

• The data economy’s value will increase from €301 billion in 2018 to €829 billion
• The number of data professionals will nearly double from 5.7 million to 10.9 million
• The percentage of the EU population with basic digital skills will rise from 57% to 65%

The European Commission has outlined a comprehensive data strategy to support this growth to drive digital transformation over the next five years. Central to this strategy is the Data Governance Act (DGA), which aims to facilitate data reuse across sectors and borders.

The DGA will introduce robust mechanisms to build trust in data intermediaries and encourage data altruism within the EU. It will also be instrumental in creating interoperable data spaces in key sectors like energy, mobility, and health.

Furthermore, the Council is working on regulations to ensure fair data access and use. These regulations are designed to ensure a fair distribution of value derived from data among all stakeholders in the data economy while promoting broader access and usage of data resources.

The building block of the next decade: AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) can potentially drive a more innovative, efficient, sustainable, and competitive economy. It can significantly enhance citizens' safety, education, and healthcare while also playing a crucial role in combating climate change. Recognizing both the benefits and the risks, the Council advocates for an ethical, human-centered approach to AI development.

The EU forecasts that AI and robotics could generate 60 million new jobs worldwide by 2025.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of reliable, high-speed connectivity throughout the EU, ensuring that all Europeans can access digital technologies. To meet this need, the EU has established ambitious connectivity targets for 2025, including:

• Gigabit connectivity for key socio-economic drivers
• Continuous 5G coverage in all urban areas and along major transportation routes
• At least 100 Mbps internet access for all European households

Advanced judicial systems

Advancing the digitalization of judicial systems across member states can enhance access to justice for citizens and businesses while increasing court proceedings' efficiency and effectiveness. Several EU countries have already implemented digital tools in their justice systems, such as:

• Conducting digital court proceedings
• Enabling electronic communication between parties
• Facilitating electronic transmission of documents
• Utilizing video hearings and conferencing

Member states are encouraged to expand the use of digital tools in judicial proceedings, ensuring these innovations do not compromise fundamental principles like the independence and impartiality of the courts.

Why businesses need to understand this transformation

The world is changing, and no matter where your business is based, the EU's forward-looking estimates, projections, and strategies are set to shape the future of the global economy.

Businesses must grasp these changes to stay ahead. Companies can position themselves more strategically by learning from these insights and understanding the broader economic shifts. Building strong partnerships with informed organizations is crucial for success in this new digital age.

İnnova recognizes that the future is digital. Cloudworks, a comprehensive cloud platform designed to digitize your business and offer the capability to create your own marketplace, is just there for your organization.

Cloudworks empowers you to:

• Architect your cloud ecosystem: Utilize Cloudworks' state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure to build your own marketplace, securely positioning your business for future growth.
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• Explore İnnova's offerings: Seamlessly purchase İnnova's products through Cloudworks, advancing your journey of digital transformation.

Businesses, regardless of their size, can reap substantial benefits from cloud-based solutions. SMEs can minimize hardware, operations, and maintenance expenditures, while large enterprises can enhance operational efficiency. Cloudworks eliminates the need for traditional licensing, hardware investments, and ongoing maintenance costs, allowing businesses to concentrate on innovation and growth. İnnova’s dedicated support teams are available around the clock to address any inquiries or issues.

With flexible workload management, you can effortlessly scale your resources, ensuring uninterrupted access to services for both employees and customers.

A contemporary renaissance

We are experiencing a contemporary renaissance—one fueled by technological innovation and enhanced connectivity. The spirit of this new era is one of exploration and reinvention, where businesses are encouraged to think beyond traditional boundaries.

Seize the opportunity to:

• Invest in innovation: Embrace cutting-edge technologies like AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing to streamline operations and unlock new growth opportunities.
• Strengthen partnerships: Collaborate with forward-thinking organizations and leverage their expertise to navigate the complexities of the digital age.
• Prioritize digital skills: Equip your workforce with the necessary digital skills to adapt and excel in a technology-driven environment.
• Ensure digital resilience: Build a secure and resilient digital infrastructure that safeguards your business against cyber threats and ensures continuity.

Be bold, be proactive, and embrace the digital future. The journey to digital excellence begins now, and the potential for growth and innovation is limitless.