Geopolitics Review Extra - 10th July 2025

Technological Change In The EU

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Technological Change

3. Concluding Remarks

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Bitesize Edition

• Technological advancement is reaching exponential levels of growth. So much so that there is a risk that we lose control of it. Artificial intelligence, energy transition, digital inclusivity, automation, and digital identity are some aspects that will determine the future direction of our world.

• The European Union is undertaking an incredibly ambitious project. As we look towards potential futures, I question if the EU will take a seat at the geopolitical superpower table or if it will fade into the geopolitical background.

• There are some areas of technology where the EU has a greater advantage than others. Today, I’ll explore these aspects of technology and what changes we could see over the coming decades, especially in the European Union.

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Introduction

Last time, I discussed the EU in the following realms:

• Education

• Labour

• Infrastructure

• Energy

• Healthcare

• Shelter and Housing

When we collect these together, they are all contributing to technological change within Europe. On an even wider scale, technological change has the potential to drive societal change. As we look at the direction in which the EU is heading, how could this technological change lead to societal change? Let’s dive in.

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Technological Change

If we attempt to flash forward over the next fifty years, as technology continues to grow and innovate exponentially, what aspects of technological growth are beneficial to the EU? What aspects is the EU clearly lagging behind in?

• Artificial Intelligence - AI will mature from narrow, task-specific models to multi-purpose, generalised models that drive improvements in productivity, research, and global governance. In the EU, this development will face strict ethical oversight and data protection worries. Other countries will adopt more aggressive models of AI development, and we will see global tensions rise in this realm as a result.