The European Commission 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.