Is it a crisis, a challenge or an opportunity? Consequences of digitalisation on European multilateralism and multi-level governance

Abstract

With the advancements of digital technologies, all European actors are facing new challenges, which have the potential to fundamentally disrupt established governance patterns and precipitate crises. The EU’s reaction has been to take the lead in regulating cutting-edge technologies and bring a degree of top-down consensus amid member states. This has contributed to create a shared framework for emerging digital technologies, but has left international, national and sub-national actors with a lot of adoption and adaption to do. What has been the effect of digitalisation on European multilateralism and on multi-level governance in the EU? To what extent has the EU-state-substate relationship been transformed? Can digital technologies contribute to bring The panel will explore these dynamics at several levels. At the international level, it will consider how EU member states have been relating to international dynamics by focusing on 1) the EU’s digital policies vis-à-vis digital leaders (e. g. US, China) and digital laggards (e. g. African countries) [Elke Schraik], 2) the internal balance between the EU and member states on Artificial Intelligence [Heidi Maurer], 3) the rise of European ‘tech envoys’ and related political dynamics in the Bay Area [Federica Bicchi], 4) the potential advantages and disadvantages of using AI for routine EU declarations [Giampiero Giacomello], 5) the pilot project conducted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to predict political risks, and the reactions it drew [Donoxti Baylon].

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