European Council on Foreign Relations, Ulrike Franke y José Ignacio Torreblanca
Geo-tech politics: Why technology shapes European power

Geopolitics implications of technology

The think tank “European Council on Foreign Relations” (@ecfr) released an article analyzing the geopolitics implications of digital technologies for the European Union (EU). “Digital and technological sovereignty” is essential for the EU to “enjoy foreign policy autonomy”, to address vulnerabilities that may arise from 5G, undersea cables or military Artificial Intelligence, and to export European regulatory standards to other countries in favor of data privacy and democratic values.

The article is focusing on the geopolitical dimension of the development, adoption, and regulation of technology in Europe with the following highlights:

  • We need to address two types of geopolitical vulnerabilities arising from current technology “status quo” in order to “enjoy foreign policy autonomy”:
    ‑ A few states are leading or monopolizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, and other new technologies and digital infrastructures (“sea cables”). That means technological dependence on non-EU providers and poses some risks such as the need to adopt non-EU standards in the ethical approach to AI or in data privacy as EU data already flows to foreign countries and companies.
    ‑ Openness to foreign interference: According to the article, technologies can also open gaps for states to interfere with others through disinformation campaigns, deep fake news or excess of information, which ultimately foster lack of trust in institutions and democracy.
  • Recommendations on how to address all these sources of vulnerability. In this regard the EU should:
    ‑ Improve its data sovereignty by adopting strict regulations on data privacy and ensuring that these are exported to countries and companies that access Europeans’ data.
    ‑ Invest heavily in exporting technologies and practices that protect democracy and help achieve technological sovereignty.
    ‑ Engage deeper with external implications and geopolitical power elements of technology. 

Filter results

FILTER BY CATEGORIES()
BACK

Filter results

Categories

11/11/2025

According to @McKinsey, banks must prepare for a new growth curve. Strategic precision —the ability to combine technology, capital discipline, and deep customer insight— will distinguish the leaders from the laggards.

Mckinsey & Company
Global Banking Annual Review 2025
23/10/2025

According to Kristalina Georgeva IMF Managing Director, lifting growth requires three things: one, regulatory housecleaning to unleash private enterprise; two, deeper regional integration; and three, preparedness to harness AI.

International Monetary Fund
World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability reports, October 2025
15/10/2025

According to The European House – Ambrosetti, the European Union has an opportunity to boost competitiveness and growth by simplifying regulatory and supervisory frameworks, particularly in the areas of sustainability and the financial sector.

The European House- Ambrosetti
Europe’s Competitiveness at Crossroads: A Stocktaking one year after the Draghi and Letta Reports
15/10/2025

According to Ramón Casilda Béjar, Spain, in today’s complex geopolitical landscape, has the opportunity to strengthen its role as a bridge and connecting country between Ibero-America and the European Union, revitalizing investment flows in both directions.

Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos
Revitalizar el espacio inversor iberoamericano con España como puente y país vertebrador con la Unión Europea
25/09/2025

According to @ECB, in moments of acute stress, the public often turns to physical currency as a reliable store of value and a resilient means of payment, underscoring the crucial role it plays above and beyond everyday transactional convenience

European Central Bank, Francesca Faella and Alejandro Zamora-Pérez
Keep calm and carry cash: lessons on the unique role of physical currency across four crises
25/09/2025

According to Juan S. Mora-Sanguinetti, in Spain a 10% increase in regulatory volume leads to a 0.5% drop in employment in companies with fewer than 10 employees.

Banco de España, Juan S. Mora-Sanguinetti
La complejidad normativa en España: un freno para las empresas y el crecimiento económico
17/09/2025

According to Hélène Rey “In a world where stablecoins, particularly those pegged to the dollar, become an important global payment tool, we must brace ourselves for substantial consequences”.

International Monetary Fund
Stablecoins, Tokens, and Global Dominance
17/09/2025

@judith_arnal proposes reforms for the EU to advance regulatory simplification, starting with consensus on its meaning, with competitiveness as a pillar, plus coordination mechanisms and a governance rethink.

CEPS
EU simplification will fail without better governance: three necessary reforms to make sure it doesn’t fail
Judith Arnal
03/07/2025

According to @iee_org, Spain has one of the most demanding tax environments for businesses within the European and international context, which may have significant implications for competitiveness, foreign investment attraction, and business expansion.

Instituto de Estudios Económicos
Competitividad fiscal empresarial 2025
19/06/2025

According to Christine Lagarde for the euro to gain in status, Europe must take decisive steps by completing the single market, reducing regulatory burdens and building a robust capital markets union.

Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB
Europe’s “global euro” moment
29/05/2025

According to the Bank of Spain, in a context of strong growth in transactions and prices, the conditions under which new mortgage loans are granted currently show no signs of easing in lending standards.

Bank of Spain
Informe de Estabilidad Financiera. Primavera 2025
08/05/2025

McKinsey notes that European private capital is half the size of the U.S. and must play a key role in boosting competitiveness, by driving innovation, scaling firms, and mobilizing the investment needed to close the gap with other regions.

Mckinsey 6 Company
Private capital: The key to boosting European competitiveness
URL copied to clipboard