Masters of Digital 2024: learnings, big moments, and what's next to make Europe a digital powerhouse
"The best, biggest Masters of Digital ever". You may have read this line in our channels. And that is exactly what took place on Wednesday.
Masters of Digital 2024 flew by in the blink of an eye, with thousands of people joining in person and online. All of them sharing the same dream: making Europe a digital powerhouse by 2030.
To that, we say: if we can dream it, we can build it! The question is how, and you'll find all the answers in this special edition of our #WeeklyDEbrief👇
What we learnt 📝
➡️ The Single Market needs more love: Every good love story needs hard work, that's why Masters of Digital 2024 was the perfect venue to reveal the:
➡️ How to make Europe #aDigitalPowerhouse: the EU must step up its digital game to lead globally. This means front-running tech innovation and cybersecurity as well as reinforcing our digital resilience to become the #1️⃣ global spot to do tech business.
Our manifesto has 20 concrete solutions to make it happen
➡️ AI made in Europe: With AI exploding globally (hello ChatGPT), the EU has a huge opportunity to emerge as THE AI global hub. We have the first worldwide AI regulation, now it's time to become #1️⃣ in AI innovation.
Special mention to 👏
⭐ Alexander De Croo: He proved that Belgium is not only about good beers and great chocolate but ALSO an amazing space for innovation. Time to learn from the Belgians and transform the EU into ONE tech hub.
De Croo: "The best for Europe is yet to come, let's show what we are capable of"
⭐ Iliana Ivanova: Announcing the Future Unicorn Award winner for the first time, the EU Innovation Commissioner also talked us through the European Commission's commitment to transforming Europe into a unicorn powerhouse.
⭐ Valdis Dombrovskis: We heard how the European Commission VP has been working relentlessly to expand transatlantic and international alliances on tech policy (Economic Security Strategy, EU-US Trade & Tech Council, and more...)
Recommended by LinkedIn
Dombrovskis: "Economic security should not be a pretext for protectionism"
⭐ Roberto Viola : EU Digital & Tech 's Director General is behind the EU's digital uptake in the last years, leading initiatives in areas such as AI, blockchain, or 5G. About time we rewarded him with the Masters of Digital Award!
⭐ Enrique Lizaso Olmos : Multiverse Computing CEO cannot miss this list. After a head-to-head race with Aerospacelab and Veo Technologies , the Spanish (💃🏽 again Spain, we know) AI start-up secured the 2024 Future Unicorn Award. Next stop: becoming a European tech giant!
The way forward ⏩
✅ Towards a fully connected Europe: "I am optimistic about #6G. We tend to be pessimistic in Europe, but I believe we can be leaders", Emilija Stojmenova Duh put it short.
✅ Recognising the huge potential of tech for digital health: Using AI and data can bring European healthcare to the next level. But: "Our health data has to be as user-friendly as the newest dating app", as Florian Tursky added.
✅ The Twin Transition needs digital: Massive investment in the digitalisation of our energy grid will boost our resilience and help us master the green transition.
✅ Ramping up our EU cyber resilience: Cyberattacks are rising = we need to close the cyber skills gap, invest in education, and boost investments in this area.
✅ Our finance system needs a digital update: "We will not have a Capital Market Union if it's not digital", Peter Kerstens nailed it down with 1️⃣ sentence.
What was your best moment from this 2024 Masters of Digital edition? Write it in the comments.
Not yet decided? Head to our Twitter and Youtube accounts for (much) more on Masters of Digital 2024
👋 That's all for today, friends. We'll bring you more digital hits next week
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