The European Commission has published the second report on the State of the Digital Decade, offering a comprehensive overview of progress toward the 2030 digital objectives set by the Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP). For the first time, the report is set to include an analysis of the national strategic roadmaps presented by Member States, detailing their planned measures, actions, and funding for digital transformation.
Upon analysis, the current collective efforts of Member States falls short of the EU’s level of ambition. There is a need for additional investments in the areas of digital skills, high-quality connectivity, uptake of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analystics by enterprises, semiconductor production and start-up ecosystems.
It will be up to both the EU and Member States to enforce the new legal framework and promote digital technologies to ensure citizens are adequately equipped with digital skills. The report is calling for stronger action from individual Member States to achieve the Digital Decade goals and ensure the EU’s future economic prosperity and societal cohesion. Country-specific recommendations for each EU Member State have been updated and made available.
The report also highlights the EU’s lack of connectivity, with fiber networks reaching only 64% of households and high-quality 5G networks covering just 50% of the EU’s territory. The Commission have advised that Member States should work together to adapt a truly functional Digital Single Market.
With the adoption of AI, cloud, and big data by European companies remaining below the target that is crucial for competitiveness, the report highlights the need to bridge the digital divide beyond large cities through initiatives like Multi-Country Projects and European Digital Innnovation Hubs. Additionally, digital skills targets are not being met, with only 55.6% of the EU population having basic digital skills. Digital skills need to be fostered at educational levels, with increased promotion of STEM disciplines.
During the current mandate, the EU has taken some action to advance on the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade, actively promoting a safer online space for European citizens and fostered consumer protection, while safeguarding innovation potential of European companies. Member States will need to align their roadmaps with the DDPP by 2 December 2024, the Commission will then monitor progress in the 2025 report.
