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There are few more pressing questions facing European governments than how to drive economic growth and make the region more competitive. And it\u2019s clear that one of the most important ways to boost the EU’s competitiveness is by harnessing AI for growth.<\/p>\n
A new report by Implement Consulting Group, commissioned by Google, estimates that generative AI could add \u20ac1.2-1.4 trillion to the EU’s GDP in ten years – the equivalent to an annual growth rate of 8%. The report also outlines how AI can significantly boost productivity across various sectors.<\/p>\n
This ability of generative AI to boost economic growth and competitiveness is particularly significant for Europe. According to Mario Draghi’s new report, Europe\u2019s competitiveness has nosedived over the past decades: the EU\u2019s share of global GDP has shrunk from over a quarter in 1980 to just 17% today. US productivity has surpassed the EU\u2019s by 20% in 2022.<\/p>\n
But this report is about more than economic metrics \u2014 it\u2019s about how AI can help people be more productive, fuel growth and support long term sustainable jobs of the future. 74% of workers in European countries see productivity-enhancing effects of generative AI, and 43% of workers in European countries expect AI to positively impact their job. Our new report estimates that the majority (61%) of jobs will be augmented by generative AI while around 7% face a long-term transition to automation. As with previous transitions, like the birth of commercial aviation or the worldwide web, new industries and careers will be made entirely possible by AI powered breakthroughs. This impact has the potential to be felt across society \u2014 from enhancing the quality and efficiency of public services to unlocking scientific breakthroughs and alleviating labor shortages by freeing up resources and boosting productivity.<\/p>\n
Europe\u2019s productivity gap is largely down to slower technological development, innovation and adoption. As Mario Draghi says, \u201cwith the world on the cusp of an AI revolution, Europe cannot afford to remain stuck in the \u2018middle technologies and industries\u2019 of the previous century\u201d. To catch up, the EU must unlock its innovative potential.<\/p>\n
This is why today, in addition to our Economic report, we\u2019re also releasing our AI Opportunity Agenda: a series of recommendations for governments to seize the full economic and societal potential of AI. The Agenda outlines the need to revisit Europe\u2019s workforce strategy, as well as investment in AI infrastructure and research, adoption and accessibility.<\/p>\n
1. Investing in research and development<\/b><\/p>\n
For the EU to truly compete in AI, it needs to make research and development a shared priority, as well as making funding more accessible. Without the right incentives to develop and commercialise AI innovation, Europe is stifling its talent and its chances of launching more home-grown tech unicorns.<\/p>\n
2. Building infrastructure to support innovation<\/b><\/p>\n
AI breakthroughs are only possible with the right high-performance computing technologies and data centres \u2014 and the renewable energy to support them. To enable AI innovation at scale, the EU will need to allocate more funding to financing such infrastructure \u2014 as well as incentivising and enabling the private sector to do the same.<\/p>\n
3. Improving skills and training programmes<\/b><\/p>\n
Technological growth will not be effective if people are left behind. Given its diversity, the EU must make sure technology benefits every business, economy and person. To do this, it needs to accelerate digital skills transformation, putting AI skills and education at the centre of a revitalised European Skills Agenda \u2014 and adding it to school curriculums.<\/p>\n
4. Promoting widespread adoption<\/b><\/p>\n
We ultimately need to ensure that AI is applied and deployed in a universally accessible and useful way. For the private sector, EU policymakers and AI developers must work together to develop outreach strategies to traditional industries and small businesses who have much to gain from AI adoption. For the public sector, member states must double down on existing initiatives to increase the public procurement of AI and developing bolder AI adoption targets.<\/p>\n
Developing good policy and responsible AI will need close coordination between governments, the private sector, academia and civil society. Through our AI Opportunity Initiative and other partnerships we\u2019re committed to working with others to get this right. But, as Mario Draghi highlighted, change is also needed in the regulatory environment. Since 2019, the EU has introduced over 100 pieces of legislation that impact the digital economy and society. It\u2019s not just the sheer number of regulations that\u2019s the challenge – it\u2019s the complexity. Moving from the regulatory-first approach can help to unlock the opportunity of AI.<\/p>\n
In many ways, Europe is well-positioned to seize this moment. AI has the potential to help us build a better, fairer, healthier society \u2014 and to support competitiveness and inclusive growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n