What does the EU and the world think about technology and AI? Discussion and drinks reception
Brussels has become very good at debating what governments, regulators and technology companies think about the future of technology. This discussion is about everyone else.
Public First has conducted extensive polling across Europe and around the world on how ordinary citizens think about technology: from AI and data to trust, sovereignty, jobs, infrastructure and the role technology plays in their everyday lives.
This event will step back from individual policy debates to look across that research and ask what Europeans actually think about technology – and what that means for the choices facing policymakers.
We will explore questions including:
Where are Europeans optimistic about technology, and where are they more cautious?
How do attitudes towards technology in Europe compare with those in North America, the UK, APAC and Africa?
What do Europeans think about the use of their data, and how does that change depending on whether it is health, financial or other personal information?
How are people already using emerging technologies such as AI, including in areas that policymakers may not expect?
How do concerns about trust, security and technological sovereignty interact with the potential economic benefits of new technologies?
What does public opinion tell us about the prospects for greater technology adoption and innovation in Europe?
At a time when Europe is debating competitiveness, sovereignty and its future approach to technology, our polling suggests that public attitudes are often more nuanced – and sometimes more optimistic – than the policy debate might imply.
The event will bring together a small group of policymakers and experts for what we hope will be a lively conversation about what the public really thinks about technology, and how those attitudes could shape the next phase of Europe's technology agenda.
The discussion will be followed by networking drinks.