The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate on how Europe can maintain its industrial edge amid rising energy costs, fragile supply chains and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.

The debate was organised by the EESC’s Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI), which examines how industrial transformation is reshaping Europe’s economy, jobs and communities. As its president Alain Coheur explained, the CCMI aims to act as a ‘laboratory for strategic foresight’, developing practical proposals to help European industry adapt to ongoing change.

EESC President, Séamus Boland, highlighted the stakes: ‘In these times of industrial change, geopolitical upheaval and shrinking civic space, the CCMI’s foresight mission has never been more vital’.

Former European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, said that Europe must be ready for economic, technological and geopolitical disruptions, and be deliberate in its investment choices. ‘Europe is operating in a world of uncertainty, where old assumptions no longer hold’, Mr Schmit said. ‘Industrial policy can no longer be business as usual. It must combine investment, innovation and quality jobs, if Europe wants to remain competitive and protect its social model’.

Mr Schmit also cautioned against reading Europe’s competitiveness gap solely through comparisons with the US, noting that their headline productivity figures are heavily shaped by the dominance of a small number of technology giants and do not necessarily reflect a more balanced or resilient economic model.

Digitalisation and AI featured prominently in the discussion, with speakers stressing that innovation without parallel investment in skills and fair working conditions risks widening social and economic gaps. The main takeaway was clear: Europe’s competitiveness has become one of the EU’s most urgent economic challenges, demanding long-term strategies rather than short-term fixes.

The proposals discussed will feed directly into the EESC’s work in the coming months, informing EU decisions on industrial policy, competitiveness, and jobs. (gb)