European Economic
and Social Committee
EESC PLENARY: Apply AI Strategy: Governance must be inclusive and implementation-oriented
In the first debate of the January plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gave its backing to the European Commission’s Apply AI Strategy, which seeks to move artificial intelligence (AI) from research and hype to real use in business and public services. The EESC called for swift, concrete action to accelerate AI deployment across the EU, especially for SMEs and scale-ups. In a global AI race driven by speed and scale, Europe must position reliability and trustworthiness as its defining strengths.
The debate was linked to the presentation and adoption of the opinion INT/1105 on Apply AI Strategy – strengthening the AI continent. It was joined by Lucilla Sioli, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Office at the European Commission’s Directorate-General CONNECT, Max Reddel, Advanced AI Director at the Centre for Future Generations, and Andrea Renda, Director of Research at Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
Opening the debate, EESC President Séamus Boland said: As AI evolves rapidly, Europe cannot afford fragmented approaches or uneven capabilities across Member States and sectors. The gap between technological innovation and practical deployment is still significant, and we must address it collectively.
Rapporteur of the opinion on the strategy, Rudolf Kolbe, outlined several elements that the EESC considers relevant for the implementation of the AI Apply Strategy: Governance must be inclusive and implementation-oriented, involving civil society from the outset. We are convinced that targeted measures, for example in healthcare, industry and construction, as well as security could create real demand for European solutions. The EU needs reliable investment and hands-on SME support, including via AI experience centres. AI literacy must be clearly defined and taught in practice.
Other members of the Committee's Civil Society Organisations' Group also participated in the lively debate:
Danko Relić underlined that technology alone is never the answer. AI has become a key word, but technology has never been a solution; the solution is how people use it. We need to prepare the terrain to use AI – not just strategy, but understanding, by teaching people what AI does, how it can help them and what the boundaries are, in a language that is comprehensible.
Sif Holst argued that to strengthen Europe’s future AI, equality must be at the forefront. Bias in data and design deepens inequalities. Let’s work to unleash our shared potential and strengthen our society.
Ileana Izverniceanu highlighted that AI is already part of everyday life. From a consumer point-of-view, AI is not theory – it is influencing daily decisions. It is essential we ensure trustworthy, transparent and bias-free AI. Clear compensation mechanisms must also be in place when AI causes harm; people aren’t passive assets.
Chiara Corazza focused on diversity and when it comes to AI, one crucial issue is the contribution of women, and diversity in designing and implementing algorithms. Education should be the enabler for leadership, and we should launch an ambitious plan that would encourage women and girls to participate and thus gain a competitive advantage as a Union.
Baiba Miltoviča, speaking for consumer organisations, that we receive increasing complaints about the use of AI in airlines, hotels and other sectors. These AI tools are dangerous and not properly tested. We should investigate AI in the tourism sector, and we shouldn’t leave AI fully by itself, as humans cannot be replaced wholly.
Corina Murafa Benga warned of broader social and environmental risks as AI is exploding energy demand, data centres and emissions. If its environmental costs are socialised while gains stay with big tech and rich economies, public trust will collapse. Fairness and climate impact must be core metrics of EU AI policy; not side effects.
Read the EESC’s press release: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/news-media/press-releases/apply-ai-strategy-building-trustworthy-ai-can-be-europes-competitive-advantage
Watch the debate at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/streaming/?event=20260121-1430-SPECIAL-OTHER