New EU-funded report recommends more AI in healthcare

According to a report recently released by the AI Think Tank of EIT Health – an EU-funded network of health innovators –, application of AI to health care will be crucial to prevent healthcare systems from struggling over the next decade. The report concludes that investments in AI and digital solutions are urgently needed, with healthcare workforces already straining to meet demand due to increasing populations and people living longer. We already know of the tremendous potential of AI and machine learning for healthcare and personalised medicine – if you did not already, we recommend listening to the HUB’s latest podcast on this very topic. The challenge of the pandemic has somewhat accelerated the growth, adoption and scaling of AI. In the following months and years, claims the report, it will be necessary to improve collaboration and exchange of best practice across the EU, to build on existing networks and infrastructures to support AI integration; at a EU level, it will be crucial to build a more robust European data infrastructure, allowing experts to track diseases, diagnose more quickly and develop new and improved AI-based solutions.

A new cybersecurity centre in Bucharest

The EU kickstarts the preparation for the establishment of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, with its future governing body meeting last week for the first time. The Centre is foreseen to launch in June and will aim to strengthen European cybersecurity capacities, boost research excellence and the competitiveness of the EU industry in this field. This step goes in the direction urged by many cybersecurity experts around Europe and well-illustrated in the article INESC published on Science Business last month.

Bioenergy and forestry in the EU green finance taxonomy

A draft of the implementing rules prepared by the Commission for the EU’s green finance taxonomy has leaked ahead of their presentation due on Wednesday (21 April). In this draft, which spells out the detailed criteria that economic activities must meet in order to be labelled as green investments in the EU, agriculture has been left out, while bioenergy criteria will be updated as soon as the EU revises its renewable energy directive, which will be up for a rewrite in June. It seems that also future developments in sustainability criteria for forestry will be taken into account in revisions of this regulation. A debate has been raging in Europe over the role biomass in the fight against climate change. While biomass is considered carbon neutral under EU law, scientists have warned policymakers that burning wood for electricity production can worsen climate change, depending on what sources of wood are used. More information about the draft here.

EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)

The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place on 25-29 October 2021 under the theme: ‘Towards 2030: Reshaping the European Energy System’. The event will comprise a 3-day digital policy conference, the EUSEW Awards, the second European Youth Energy Day as well as 1:1 video meetings, virtual stands and other networking activities. Participants will also have access to online side events and Energy Days, digital events taking place all over Europe. Registration will open in September. Meanwhile, the call for sessions for the Policy Conference of the 2021 edition of the EU Sustainable Energy Week is now open. The Policy Conference takes place from 25 to 28 October, and applications may be submitted until 17.00 CEST on 10 May 2021.