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How to benefit from the EU Recovery Plan?
- October 2020
The European Union's Intellectual Property Plan
- September 2020
2019
2018
When two transitions collide: the need for mutually beneficial digital and environmental transitions
The circular economy and digital transitions are currently two of the most investigated phenomena in the economy and public affairs. Both of them raise a wide range of transversal issues, from sustainability to ethics. It is however quite rare to find actors who are trying to link these two topics. This may be due to the lack of expertise in both aspects, and the pressure on policy-makers to bridge the digital and circular economies is drastically rising. While the implementation of the circular economy always seems to be too slow in front of the environmental challenges our societies face, the sustainability of our digital footprint is questioned. How can the circular economy and digital be mutually beneficial and what can be done to strengthen these linkages?
- September 2018
Boosting Europe’s Competitiveness in Artificial Intelligence: building an EU approach
The implications of Intelligent and Autonomous Systems are far reaching, with some heralding its widespread use as the dawn of a new Fourth Industrial Revolution which will fundamentally change our economies, societies and ethics. The European Union has given thought to these issues and is preparing early to maintain European competitiveness internationally.
- September 2018
Initial Coin Offering: a Sustainable Source of Financing?
Since the emergence of Bitcoin, Blockchain Technologies, also known as Distributed Ledger Technologies, have made headlines all over the world. Their successful application to the financial sector let to the creation of virtual currencies, paving the way for more complex financial uses such as Initial Coin Offerings, or ICOs. With ICOs emerging as a new tool for tech companies to finance themselves, the European Union and its Member States are exploring whether regulation is needed.
- August 2018
New Zealand Free Trade with the European Union
Since 2014, New Zealand and the European Union have discussed opening negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement and the European Institutions will eminently agree on a mandate for the European Commission to open negotiations with New Zealand. Like any negotiation, agreements are based on a quid-pro-quo attesting to sound economic and political reasons for a trade deal, though some challenges might arise. In the case of the upcoming New Zealand-EU negotiations, agriculture is likely to be the greatest of these challenges.
- May 2018
The European Response to False News
False news is not a recent phenomenon but Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States in 2016 gave a new impetus to the online proliferation of false stories. With the May 2019 European elections fast approaching, the urgency to act is pressing on EU Institutions and Member States – including on the European Commission which published a Communication on Tackling Online Disinformation on 26 April 2018 and announced the creation of an EU-wide Code of Practice on Disinformation by July 2018. However, lawmakers must walk a thin line between combating false news and preserving freedom of speech and media pluralism without imposing censorship.
- April 2018
The Future of Apps in the Internet of Things
On 6 January 2007, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, announced to the world the Apple iPhone. Since then, sales in the iPhone range have totalled more than a billion units worldwide. The birth of the smartphone was also the birth of the app economy. The unrivalled success of the iPhone arguably has as much to do with the content on it, rather than the novelty of using an iPod as a cell phone.
- March 2018
2017
Mixed Priorities, Mixed Messages: Brexit the Commonwealth and the European Union
When the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community in 1973, it left many of its trading partners behind – including significant Commonwealth nations like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. With Brexit looming, the UK aspires to reconnect with former partners who have since forged their own path. However, the trade agendas of these three Commonwealth nations might challenge British hopes, as its former trade partners tend to prioritise connections with the European Union (EU) and larger trade blocks.
- September 2017
The Dynamics of the Smart City
Smart Cities are developing at the crossroad of several public policy fields – such as data protection, environmental requirements and collaborative economy. To better grasp the Public Affairs implications of Smart Cities, Lighthouse Europe explores the six pillars of the Smart City.
- August 2017
Political Reshuffling in France: a Potential Land Shift?
French elections are often described as the defining moment of the unity or division of French society. Widely commented and followed abroad, the election of Emmanuel Macron at the Presidency of the Republic paves the way for new types of political governance – away from the traditional right-left confrontation – which could lead to an unprecedented renewal of political leadership.
- June 2017
A Beginner’s Guide to Brexit
Given the misinformation and uncertainty surrounding the UK’s decision, Lighthouse Europe wants to shed light on what Brexit really means in practice and what is at stake. No matter how it will be enforced, Brexit will greatly affect business, as well as trade and financial opportunities across the European Union.
- May 2017
The ePrivacy Regulation: Cookie setting from banner to browser
From the age of letters to today’s emails and instant messaging applications, the world of communications has radically changed over the past fifteen years. While many companies would not be able to provide free online services without targeted advertising, the collection and processing of personal information in electronic communications is a cause of concern for the general public, who call for more robust privacy rights. In response, the European Commission has proposed an ePrivacy Regulation seeking to balance these interests, presented on 10 January 2017. The Proposal has not come without controversies, as many, including tech companies or the Member of the European Parliament Axel Voss, argue that an ePrivacy Regulation is redundant in light of the recently adopted General Data Protection Regulation.
- February 2017
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence: What is in store?
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence have already entered our daily lives, as video games competitors, mass-producers in factories, or automated vehicles. Even though the potential of such technologies is widely acknowledged, some – notably scientist Stephen Hawking – warn of their potential pitfalls and possible threat to humanity if uncontrolled. Therefore, how can the European Union fully reap the benefits of these new technologies?
- January 2017
2016
Blockchain set to transform the way we do business
Imagine using the services of businesses like Uber, BlaBlaCar, or AirBnB without actually using their websites, but instead being able to contact the drivers or hosts directly. Or making money transfers without needing a bank as an intermediary. This may soon be possible with Blockchain, a technology similar to an online account book.
- November 2016
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