Tech Policy Primer 2021

Bart Schermer from Considerati opened the event together with Marja Verloop, Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy. In his opening remarks, Bart stated that, if we are to maintain our way of living with digital autonomy, we need a competitive digital industry that can compete on a global scale. In her opening words, Marja added that for the digital industry, policy is inevitable. However, that requires smart choices. This regulatory environment should be fit for purpose for both SMEs and larger corporates, as they mutually benefit from one another.

Marietje continued that the strategic economy debate is a response to the failure to invest sufficiently, but also a response to changing geopolitical relations. The heavy state intervention in China is not the democratic path that we should go on. We in Europe are trying to marry economy and geopolitics. In some instances, that leads to countries using the security lens to justify state intervention. According to Alexander, security is a valid reason, as these issues are very real.

Alexander ends the fire-side chat with three main wishes: (i) double the science budget, (ii), act like true Europeans and bring out the best of the continent, and (iii) make sure that Europe continues to lead the regulatory debate with industrial potential in the back of our mind, that might be our cutting edge.  

According to Bernard, the digital world has an important impact on the struggle for power between nations and the subsequent tensions. Big tech companies create data conglomerates, and the entire economy has become dependent on what is happening in the digital sector. The role of the government is to regulate proper behavior in the digital world and create a digital infrastructure that is accessible for all.

Maaike reacted to the three wishes of Alexander during the fire-side chat. She questions whether investments should really go to science. We are doing great in R&D, but we are lacking commercial value. We should invest in commercialization of science. About being Europeans, she agrees that an open strategic economy makes sense at the EU-level. Companies should take more pride in being European instead of dreaming of being bought by Google. Lastly, about leading the regulatory debate, she proposed that the government can leverage regulatory-tech companies to help companies abide by these rules.

The event ended with closing remarks by Gary Shapiro (CEO CTA) and Focco Vijselaar (Director-General Business and Innovation from the Ministry of Economic Affairs). Gary started by stating that CTA does not represent companies but represents innovation and developing collaboration and trust between actors. Gary also called for closer transatlantic cooperation, to align innovation with our joint (western) values. Focco continued that he is very much encouraged by what he heard during the Policy Primer debate. One thing he did not hear is capital. We need funds that are not managed by government, but by forward-looking experts. It is important to look at the future, which is exactly what CES Unveiled in Amsterdam wants to do. The business community has a big role to play in a responsible future, together with the government.