Strengthening of European capabilities for High-Performance Computing and data utilisation must be a key priority for the next legislative term of the EU – CSC gave input to Finland’s key objectives for EU legislative term 2024-2029
It is good that the key objectives recognise the importance of data, digitalisation, emerging technologies and RDI for the strategic competitiveness of the EU as well as the interplay between the clean and digital transitions. We also support the objective related to improving and reducing regulation, deeming that during the next legislative term the EU should shift its focus from regulation to concrete solutions for strengthening digital capabilities and competences. This means not only joint investments but also building of trust as well as structural change to strengthen cooperation between countries, sectors, organisations and people.
Strengthening of European capabilities for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and data utilisation must be a key priority for the next legislative term of the EU. The aim must be to create ecosystems where data, HPC, quantum and AI infrastructures as well as related competences are developed in convergence with balanced investments in all parts of the ecosystem. Competences are a key success factor and competence development must take place not only at all levels and sectors of the educational system but also in working life.
It is great that Finland has decided to participate in the competition for hosting the next-generation pan-European supercomputers. Finland’s success in this competition must now be actively promoted at EU level. Finland must also increase its efforts to obtain a larger share of available EU funding. When preparing the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, funding of the framework programme for research and innovation succeeding Horizon Europe must be brought to an ambitious enough level. Funding must also be allocated in a balanced way to all parts of the digital ecosystem, including competence development.
EU must follow Finland’s example and develop a climate and environmental strategy for the ICT sector in order to make sure that the climate impact of digitalisation is taken into account in all relevant EU regulation and funding programmes. All existing and upcoming regulation must be reviewed carefully to make sure that it forms a coherent legislative framework that has more of an enabling than restricting impact on digitalisation, technological development and utilisation of data. It is particularly important to remove legislative barriers for data utilisation, e.g. by ensuring a more uniform interpretation of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Read the full statement (pdf) (in Finnish).