With "GAIA-X" towards European data sovereignty

In her 2020 speech on the state of the European Union, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of a strong European data economy as a powerful engine for innovation. The establishment of a European cloud based on GAIA-X was an important element in this context, she said. The cloud project – originally initiated by Germany and France to create a European data ecosystem –was launched in 2019 and has been continuously developed since then. The first GAIA-X-compliant applications shall be provided by the end of 2021. BDI has supported the project from the beginning and has set up its own GAIA-X working group. In the future, BDI will continue to support the project closely.

Driving Europeanization forward

For the success of the cloud project, it is crucial to bring as many European partners as possible on board. Virtually, all companies in Europe depend on trusted data ecosystems. Particularly medium-sized companies need easy access to data networks that meet the high European security standards. In order to achieve Europe's digital sovereignty in the sense of strengthening its own competencies and technologies, the success of this project is thus crucial.

Integrate user industries and offer pilot applications

In order to be able to assert itself in international competition, user industries throughout Europe should also be increasingly involved in the project. Thereby, it can be ensured that the digital data services provided via GAIA-X are designed to meet the requirements as closely as possible and the high demand potential of GAIA-X in business, science and public administration can be exploited. All interested parties sharing the values of GAIA-X should be involved in the project. The common goal should be to bring the first applications of GAIA-X to market maturity as quickly as possible.