CDI: EU policy makers risk ‘being left behind’
The Center for Data Innovation (CDI) has released a report that calls for European policy makers to agree upon both a vision and a strategy for harnessing data-driven innovation.
With the aims of economic growth and improvement in quality of life the report proposes three steps European policy makers ought to take in embracing the data economy. These steps include the appointment of national chief data officers; the establishment of an independent advisory panel of these officers; and the augmentation of ‘lighthouse projects’ that demonstrate the commercial value of data-driven innovation.
Director of CDI and co-author of the report Daniel Castro (pictured) said, “The data revolution creates vast opportunities to spur growth and address social challenges. If Europe is going to take full advantage of data-driven innovation, then the commission and member states must embrace a future where data is a core component of their strategies for economic progress and social empowerment. One of Europe’s most vexing challenges is that while it has created a political consensus on protecting the privacy of its citizens by regulating how their personal data is handled, it has achieved no similar consensus on how to capture the benefits of the data economy, which hinges on enabling people and organisations to collect, share and analyse information.”
The data economy is perceived to be growing at unprecedented speeds and currently presents Europe with opportunities to increase both productivity and competitiveness. Moreover, data-driven innovation, the CDI states, will play a key role in addressing Europe’s more important challenges such as improving domestic security and eliminating human trafficking.
The full report can be read here.
