In the European Union (EU), digital transformation is conceived as the key to unlocking future growth in Europe. Indeed, the EU’s long-term budget, namely the European Multiannual Financial Framework, will help to bridge the EU’s digital investment gap for the period 2021 – 2027.

As a result, the European Commission has created a new “Digital Europe” programme, with an overall budget of €9.2 billion to shape and support the digital transformation of European societies and economies. The programme will seek to boost investment in:

  • Supercomputing
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Advanced digital skills

In regard to the first investment area, the Commission is aware of the need for high-performance computers, or supercomputers, as they make it possible to process large amounts of data. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence is viewed as one of the most promising technologies; a major solution to the social challenges of the coming years and the driver of economic growth. The importance of cybersecurity has grown because the new possibilities to connect and disseminate information over the internet have also increased the risks. Thus, cyber-attacks and fraud can potentially destabilize countries, requiring a large investment in this technology. However, the benefits of investing in all of the areas included in the programme can only be achieved if there are enough people who are prepared to implement those changes. Thus, it is also necessary to invest in the training of a large number of professionals.

I totally agree with the European Union’s ambitions to promote the European digital space.

For more information:

Investing in the future Digital Transformation 2021 – 2027

Posted by Juan M. Corchado

Juan Manuel Corchado (15 May 1971, Salamanca, Spain) is Professor at the University of Salamanca. He has been Vice-Rector for Research from 2013 to 2017 and Director of the Science Park of the University of Salamanca. Elected as Dean of the Faculty of Science twice, he holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Salamanca and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of the West of Scotland. He leads the renowned BISITE (Bioinformatics, Intelligent Systems and Educational Technology) Research Group, created in 2000. Director of the IoT Digital Innovation Hub and President of the AIR Institute, J. M. Corchado is also Visiting Professor at the Osaka Institute of Technology since January 2015, Visiting Professor at the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Member of the Advisory Group on Online Terrorist Propaganda of the European Counter Terrorism Centre (EUROPOL). J. M. Corchado has been president of the IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society, and academic coordinator of the University Institute for Research in Art and Animation Technology at the University of Salamanca, as well as researcher at the Universities of Paisley (UK), Vigo (Spain) and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (UK). He currently combines all his activity with the direction of Master programmes in Security, Digital Animation, Mobile Telephony, Information Systems Management, Internet of Things, Social Media, 3D Design and Printing, Blockchain, Z System, Industry 4.0, Agile Project Management, and Smart Cities & Intelligent Buildings, at the University of Salamanca and his work as editor-in-chief of the journals ADCAIJ (Advances in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence Journal), OJCST (Oriental Journal of Computer Science and Technology) or Electronics MDPI (Computer Science & Engineering section). J. M. Corchado mainly works on projects related to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, IoT, Fog Computing, Edge Computing, Smart Cities, Smart Grids and Sentiment Analysis. He has recently been included in the board of trustees of the AstraZeneca Foundation, along with other health professionals and researchers recognised for bringing scientific knowledge closer to society.

All Posts Website