Data Union Strategy

The External linkstrategy aims to broaden access to high-quality data for AI, streamline EU data rules and strengthen the EU's data sovereignty in an increasingly demanding geopolitical context. More generally, the European Commission wants to make data a strategic asset through three pillars.

Pillar 1: Improving access to quality data for AI

Effective AI cannot function without access to large quantities of quality data. The Commission therefore wants to minimise the bottlenecks that prevent easy access to large datasets by strengthening the infrastructure for large-scale AI development, accelerating the use of European data spaces and supporting the establishment of data labs.

Pillar 2: Streamlining data rules 

In recent years, the European Union has adopted a series of cross-compliance (Data Governance Act, Data Act, Interoperability Act) and sectoral regulations (European Health Data Space Regulation). This has created a fragmented regulatory landscape that is difficult to interpret for the private sector and institutions. Through its Digital Omnibus, the European Commission aims to strengthen coherence between the various data regulations, and ensure that the overall data framework is conducive to innovation. Consequently, it will delete outdated rules, streamline existing ones and consolidate public-sector data-sharing obligations.

Pillar 3: Protecting data sovereignty

In the current geopolitical context, the European Commission wants to strengthen data sovereignty to ensure the resilience and sustainability of the EU's digital future.

Conclusions

The Commission wants to reposition the European Union in the global data economy. It therefore confirms the strategic role of data in today's economy, and aims to move from a regulatory to a results-oriented vision. These changes will undoubtedly have an impact on the public sector, through regulatory changes and potentially increased pressure to make public data available to private operators and researchers.

Paradigm will closely follow the future developments of this strategy, which may represent a challenge in the short term, but will enable easier and more consistent access to data in the long term.