Cuardaigh

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform industries and society by boosting innovation, empowering individuals and increasing productivity. One of the drawbacks of the adoption of this technology, however, is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate human-generated content from synthetic content generated by AI, potentially enabling illegal and harmful conduct. Policymakers around the globe are therefore pondering how to design and implement watermarking ...

Blockchain and its applications, in particular cryptocurrencies, have grabbed the headlines, but many people still do not know how they work. This briefing provides an overview of the uses and challenges of this technology, based on published information. Blockchain originated as part of the enabling digital ledger technology (DLT) developed at the end of the 20th century. DLT works as a digital database containing information (as a record book or ledger) that can be simultaneously used and shared ...

The development of a European digital public space in which all European citizens could inform themselves about current affairs would be a great opportunity. While online platform operators from the United States and China provide various different digital media and also meeting spaces, these often lack democratic discourse and at the same time increase polarisation and division by concentrating and rewarding those types of content that generate outrage. Freedom of expression, and the possibility ...

The following policy recommendations supplement the background analysis that was prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT committee) on the “European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) – Background Analysis” . The Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (European Media Freedom Act) and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (‘EMFA’) was published on 16 September 2022 and ...

This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the LIBE Committee, examines risks that contemporary social media - focusing in particular on the most widely-used platforms - present for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. The study focuses on the governance of online content, provides an assessment of existing EU law and industry practices which address these risks, and evaluates potential opportunities ...

International Women's Day on 8 March provides an opportunity both to celebrate women's achievements and to take stock of progress towards gender equality. The gender gap in the digital sector, in areas ranging from education to salaries, persists. Women's increased participation in the sector could help solve the shortage of information and communications technology (ICT) professionals needed for the EU's digital sector to grow. It could also yield economic benefits in terms of gross domestic product ...

This study examines research on the impact of pervasive social media use on children's and young people’s development. Acknowledging the many benefits children gain from being connected through social media, this study focuses on problematic use and the potential harm that may arise from content, contact, conduct and contract risks. Solutions are considered in light of EU policy and regulatory developments with particular reference to ensuring that children are protected, safe and empowered when ...

Protecting children online is becoming increasingly vital. For over two decades, there has been a limited range of online age verification methods available to protect children from accessing online content unsuitable for their age. A number of countries are introducing legislation and/or codes of practice to address this situation. At EU level too, there are increasing efforts in this regard, with a code of practice in the pipeline. Challenges abound, however, in the areas of privacy, monitoring ...

The heavy sanctions imposed by the West on Russia over its war against Ukraine have had a considerable impact on the Russian digital sector. Russia has made efforts to circumvent the sanctions; counteracting these efforts requires consistent implementation and enforcement. Further coordination in this regard would increase the impact of existing sanctions and form a step towards ending the war.

This study on “Europe's digital decade and autonomy” aims to deliver an independent expert opinion and an assessment of the 2030 targets set by the Digital Compass and the overall Commission’s Digital Strategy. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) to establish an objective view on the progress made in recent years, ongoing actions, and the adequacy of future ...