From Rule-Taker to Rule-Maker: The European Union’s Evolving Role in the Governance of Digital Technologies

Over the past 50 years, the rise of digital technologies has presented many opportunities, but also many serious challenges, for public policymakers seeking effective governance. Public policymakers have moreover had to contend with the fact that they are not the only actors that (aim to) play a role in the governance of emerging technologies. This paper explores the European Union’s response to these challenges and highlights its transition from being a rule-taker to a rule-maker in digital policy. Focusing on open source software, open standards, digital platforms, and AI, the study examines the EU’s efforts to regain decision-making power from countries like the US and China, as well as from dominant platform firms. By analyzing the actors, institutions, and factors that have influenced EU policies, the paper uncovers the EU's evolution from a reliance on competition policy to the pursuit of a strategic techno-industrial policy over the last three decades. The findings demonstrate the EU’s journey from a position of dependency to actively shaping digital governance.