How the EU Deals with the Digital Transition and AI

Digital technologies are essential for a thriving, prosperous and resilient EU, provided they are backed by appropriate safeguards for a fair and democratic society. The next edition of the ECA Journal, to be published at the end of May 2026, will cover one of the EU’s key priorities: the digital transition and particularly the potentially disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on all areas of the economy and society.

In view of current developments and ambitions for its strategic autonomy, the EU’s technological capacity – particularly in creating, regulating and monitoring AI developments and their use – is increasingly relevant in multiple fields, such as defence, health, business and safeguarding technological sovereignty and democracy. What are the European Commission’s priorities and actions? How does the EU compare with other regions? Which dilemmas need to be tackled in terms of policy choices? And what are the specific challenges facing the EU tech industry?

In a world where competition between regions is ever more intense, leveraging the digital transition and AI has become a key policy objective. Both the EU and its member states focus on how support for research and regulatory measures can ensure not only that European industry plays a key role but also that EU citizens and businesses use AI responsibly. The EU’s regulatory power sets it apart from other regions by providing guardrails for responsible AI use.

As well as offering an overview of how AI is already affecting our daily lives, this AI edition of the ECA Journal will feature a variety of views on the policy dilemmas the EU faces in boosting its capacity to innovate in the digital realm. It will also present critical perspectives on the risks posed by AI and the challenge of addressing those risks in a world where AI is affecting so many other policy areas. The latest edition includes contributions by top policymakers, such as European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, public auditors assessing progress on the ground and practitioners from the digital industry itself. Experts from the OECD and think tanks, as well as renowned academics, will explore the European approach to AI. 

(Source: European Court of Auditors)