From Ambition to Action: Shaping Europe’s Digital Future in a Competitive World

Conference Details

Date: 26 March 2025

Time: 12:00

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Cost: Free, registration needed

Organiser: CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies and Center for the Governance of Change

Conference Website

Conference Description

Please note that this event is in-person only, with the exception of CEPS Members who may request a link to follow virtually.

The upcoming months will be pivotal for shaping the future of Europe’s digital economy. While 2024 brought clarity to the EU’s challenges in competitiveness and economic security, the bloc faces a pressing challenge: transitioning from ambition to action. This urgency is heightened by global shifts, including the anticipated acceleration of competition and deregulation trends with Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The EU now finds itself at a crossroads. It must balance calls for a ‘regulatory pause’ with some advocating for simplified legislation to foster innovation and others stressing the need to uphold Europe’s social welfare model – while ensuring the effective implementation of policies enacted in the previous cycle and heeding the strategic recommendations of the Draghi and Letta reports, as well as Competitiveness Compass’ strategic roadmap to drive technological leadership, economic resilience, and climate neutrality.

On 26 March, join us for a high-level discussion to examine the EU’s digital governance dilemmas, reflect on the successes and shortcomings of the past legislative cycle, and explore actionable strategies to propel Europe forward in the digital age.

Key questions to be addressed:

• How can the EU reconcile its drive for greater competitiveness with building a trustworthy and inclusive digital ecosystem?
• Is the EU facing a regulatory overload, or is smarter, streamlined regulation the key to innovation?
• What reforms are needed in competition policy and regulatory harmonisation to complete the Digital Single Market?
• What steps can accelerate the EU’s semiconductor strategy, expand AI computational resources and deploy advanced digital infrastructure?

This event also serves as the public kick-off of the Geopolitics of the Digital Era research project by the Center for the Governance of Change, which will be introduced by Miguel Otero Iglesias during the session.

Co-organised by the Center for the Governance of Change and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), this event will provide a platform for thought leaders and decision-makers to shape Europe’s digital future. A detailed agenda will be available soon.