Overcoming digital dependencies protects workers' rights and data – EU sovereignty in the cloud, AI and the information society as a democratic necessity

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for a cross-sectoral EU digital sovereignty strategy to reduce critical dependencies on non-EU cloud, AI and platform providers, while strengthening data protection, interoperability and the ability to switch providers;
• urges the EU and Member States to invest in “Made in the EU” digital infrastructure and prioritise open-source solutions and European alternatives through “EU first” and “comply or explain” public procurement principles;
• stresses that digital sovereignty must protect democracy and workers’ rights, ensuring transparency and democratic control over AI and algorithms, meaningful social dialogue, skills development and fair sharing of productivity gains.

Practical information: 

The EESC Youth Test was applied to this opinion. Junior Enterprises Global was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.