Embedding anticipatory governance in Europe’s transitions

The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation’s Expert Group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research & Innovation (ESIR) has released a new policy brief on the challenges the EU faces in keeping pace with the rapid technological developments of the 21st century while striving to align them with societal transitions and planetary boundaries. 

The brief highlights the importance of embedding foresight, adaptive regulatory frameworks, and ethical principles to navigate the risks and opportunities posed by technologies such as AI, biotechnology, and quantum computing. The framework should foster public trust, accountability, and international collaboration, while incorporating flexible mechanisms like regulatory sandboxes and multi-stakeholder engagement to adapt to emerging challenges.

The ESIR group argues that a proactive governance framework is essential to address the ethical, social, environmental, and economic implications of technology, emphasising accountability, public trust, and a new digital social contract. 

Effective governance requires understanding the complexity of innovation and the interconnectedness of different fields of knowledge and technology, balancing flexible and comprehensive regulatory approaches tailored to technologies' risks and maturity. 

Moving forward, the EU must explore diverse futures, adopt adaptive and transparent policies, and prioritise international cooperation alongside robust safeguards to ensure security, trust, and transformative progress.

Read the full policy brief

Background 

ESIR is a high-level expert group that provides evidence-based policy advice to the Commission on how to develop a forward-looking and transformative research and innovation policy. Its 16 experts provide independent advice on how EU research and innovation policy can best support the transformation of our economy and society throughout the social, green and digital transitions.

More information 

Expert group on the economic and societal impact of research and innovation (ESIR)