The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the proposal to create a new digital programme in the multi-annual financial framework 2021-2027, but would like more funding for skills development in this area.
This is reflected in an opinion by Norbert Kluge (workers, Germany) and Ulrich Samm (employers, Germany) adopted on 17 October.
As a reminder, on 6 June, the European Commission proposed to set up a new programme to develop and strengthen high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cyber-security and advanced digital skills (see EUROPE 12077) in Europe.
This proposal is welcomed by the EESC as a reaffirmation of "Europe's intention to become a major player in digitisation and to increase its economic power and competitiveness on the world stage". By way of comment, the EU advisory body welcomes the fact that support for e-skills is a key element of the programme.
However, he considers - as does Parliament - that the budget envelope should be increased from €700 million to €830 million.
For the rest, he stresses the importance of respecting the principle of "the human in charge", in particular in the future development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. He also recalls that one of the essential criteria for the success of the programme will be that digitisation leads to economic participation and job creation in all regions of Europe. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)