The past few years have seen the adoption of a regulatory push from the EU when it comes to digital markets, digital services and data. It reconfirmed Europe as the global rule-setter in the digital world. After the GDPR, we now have the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts and the Data Governance and Data Act in place that could have a Brussels effect far beyond the EU’s borders. Whether this new regulatory framework is enough to change the dynamics of the digital economy remains to be seen. Past experiences should make us weary and realistic about the effectiveness of rules to stop the trend where the power of Big Tech firms seems to grow exponentially over time. Since the release of Chat GPT 3.5 in the autumn of 2022, the realisation has become mainstream that AI and the 4th industrial revolution are gathering momentum fast.

The narrative is that the wave of innovation of this industrial revolution will eventually benefit everyone. And yet, history shows that unregulated capitalism creates significant inequality, and benefits never spread automatically. We see that today, with inequality rising across the board, while a few big tech firms have amassed enormous power and wealth. This inequality is not just the result of the spread of digital technology but also closely wound up with the liberalisation of capital, globalisation, deregulation, and the decline of organised labour. Europe is searching for its model for the digital age, where there is space for non-commercial activities and public services and solid industrial relations are supported.

After the upheaval and technological change of the first industrial revolution, social democrats arose to provide refuge from market forces and exploitation by creating a range of new institutions (trade unions, voting rights, mass public education and healthcare, public libraries, etc.). A similar task awaits now as the institutions of the industrial era continue to disintegrate. In theory, digital technology can enhance forms of social coordination not based on commercial motives and competition (better public services, a more responsive democracy, social innovation), but this requires collective action. Europe is the continent where this innovation of the institutions of the digital age has the potential to originate, but it will need a progressive and strategic approach.

Find all publications on Digital & Industrial Policy
Publications
20/05/2025

Demonetisation of anti-democratic and extreme content

The proposed European Democracy Shield (EUDS) aims to fortify the EU’s democratic systems against disinformation, […]
17/02/2025

Expected labour market effects of the Green Deal Industrial Plan (2)

A regional labour policy approach
29/01/2025

Progressive Yearbook 2025

2024 was announced as a ‘super election’ year. In fact, about half of the world’s […]
Load more...
Find all events on Digital & Industrial Policy
Events
Upcoming
23/06/2025
FEPS HQ (Expert meeting)

Unpacking the Clean Industrial Deal

Mapping policy priorities for a decarbonised EU industry
Past
11/06/2025
Brussels, Belgium

Towards gender-inclusive digital policy

FEPS Fringe Sessions
20/05/2025
Brussels, Belgium (Expert meeting)

Demonetising disinformation

Roundtable on the European democracy shield
Load more...
Find all Progressive Post on Digital & Industrial Policy
Progressive Post
06/06/2025

Social democracy, digital revolution and digital capitalism in the future

04/04/2024

The Democratic Shield: safeguarding democracy in the age of AI

04/04/2024

Defending democracy in the digital world

Load more...
Find all news on Digital & Industrial Policy
News
13/03/2023

Digital programme: Algorithms at the workplace

FEPS, together with Nordic partners, launched a Digital Programme on algorithmic management and workers' rights
Find all in the media on Digital & Industrial Policy
In the media

Study: EU needs a clear strategy for digital independence

by Europe.Table 09/12/2024
Read the coverage of our policy study 'Time to build a European digital ecosystem', in which experts call for the development of a European digital industrial policy.

Regolamentare l’Intelligenza artificiale è la prossima frontiera progressista

by Gil Stati Generali 17/11/2024
The study "Algorithmic Management in the workplace| is discussed in this article on the implications of algorithmic managemnet on workers

Näitä työtehtäviä yritykset korvaisivat tekoälyllä

by MTV Uutiset 09/10/2024
Finnish Television interviews OP Yrityspanki CEO Katja Keitaanniemi and Demos Helsinki's senior expert Johannes Anttila about FEPS Policy Study 'Algorithmic management and workplace digitalisation in Finland'

Tekoäly tuli työpaikalle: Tuloksena kaaosta ja ärtyneitä asiakkaita

by Talouselämä 16/09/2024
'Artificial intelligence entered the workplace: The result is chaos and irritated customers' Finish article about FEPS Policy Study 'Algorithmic management and workplace digitalisation in Finland'

Työntekijöitä valvotaan algoritmeilla ja tekoälyllä

by Ylen Aamu 27/08/2024
"Employees are monitored with algorithms and artificial intelligence" Watch Jere Immonen's appearance on the Finnish TV morning news show Ylen Aamu, where he discusses his work on the country's case study for FEPS Digital Programme, focusing on the implementation of algorithmic systems in management across Finland
Load more...
Find all audiovisual on Digital & Industrial Policy
Audiovisual

Becoming less dependent on Big Tech with Cecilia Rikap

🔊📺 Available on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcast Now that the transatlantic alliance has come […]

Becoming less dependent on Big Tech with Cecilia Rikap

🔊📺 Available on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcast Now that the transatlantic alliance has come […]

Silenced, censored, resisting: Feminist struggles in the digital age with Asha Allen

📺🔊 Available on Youtube Spotify and Apple Podcast As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, feminist […]

Silenced, censored, resisting: Feminist struggles in the digital age with Asha Allen

📺🔊 Available on Youtube Spotify and Apple Podcast As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, feminist […]

‘Time to build a European digital ecosystem’ Flickr album

Photo album of the event ‘Time to build a European digital ecosystem‘ Despite its role […]

‘Computer in command’ Flickr album

Photo album of the ‘Computer in command‘ event at The European Economic and Social Committee. […]
Load more...
Network and Team

Monty AAL

Policy analyst on Digital
Monty Aal (he/him) joined FEPS in March 2025 as Policy Analyst on Digital. Before joining […]

Luis SÁEZ JIMÉNEZ

Project Officer
Graduated in History at the University of Évora (Portugal), Luis also holds Master’s Degrees in […]