What role does Europe play in the digital world dominated by tech giants headquartered in the U.S. and China? How can we regain control of digital infrastructure, data, and technology — and thus, our sovereignty? Does current legislation rein in corporations, or does it hinder necessary innovation? How can democracies better protect themselves and preserve their values in the digital world? These questions will be addressed at the Summit on Europe’s Digital Sovereignty on November 18.
In an interview with Barbara Zeithammer and listeners on ORF’s radio program “Punkt eins,” Matthias C. Kettemann discusses Europe’s struggle for self-determination in the digital world and explains what law and ethics can achieve with new technologies.
Click here to listen to the program (only available in German).
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Matthias C. Kettemann emphasizes that new technologies are neither good nor bad, nor are they neutral. Technological progress is the result of conscious decisions, and every technological development requires ethical reflection that considers the social, political, and societal implications. What can ethics and law achieve in assessing the opportunities and risks of new technologies?
In recent years, the EU has established central legal foundations for platforms and their responsibilities, data protection, online shopping, social media, and the use of AI through digital laws such as the Data Act, the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the AI Act. The Digital Services Act is even considered the “basic law for the internet.”
However, according to Matthias C. Kettemann, these regulations came too late when it comes to social media and AI. With quantum technology, which is still emerging, we have “every opportunity” to develop good rules that promote innovation while reducing negative consequences for individuals and society, says the legal scholar who heads the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab (IQEL).
EU digital laws have repeatedly been criticized for leaving too little room for innovation and creating too much bureaucracy. On Wednesday, November 19, the EU Commission announced a comprehensive legislative package entitled “Digital Omnibus,” which envisions a complete overhaul of digital laws. Numerous civil society organizations are speaking out against it, saying it’s a step backward and criticizing the undermining of fundamental rights and protective measures against digital threats in favor of tech giants. The Financial Times recently reported on months of pressure from U.S. technology giants and the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, November 12, the EU Commission presented a new proposal under the motto “European Democracy Shield,” which envisions numerous new measures “to strengthen, protect, and promote profound and resilient democracies.”
Which direction will the “Digital Omnibus” take Europe in? What paths lead from dependence on US and Chinese tech giants to digital sovereignty for Europe? What dangers does the “democracy shield” aim to protect against? What mistakes in platform and AI regulation must we learn from, and what rules does the quantum age require?