Meanwhile, computer science students highlighted the fact that data security cannot be ignored as we grasp the opportunities offered by digitalisation. (Photograph: ETH Zurich / Oliver Bartenschlager)
The four ministers also took questions from computer science students, who used the opportunity to shine the spotlight on unresolved issues. On question asked was how the requisite amounts of data are expected to be collected in the fragmented European landscape without violating the right to personal data protection. They also questioned whether data can actually be anonymised, and how Europe is intending on joining forces without creating inert structures that are unable to keep up with the pace set by China and the US.
Plea for a fifth European freedom
Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann called for individual initiative, comparing the situation to setting up a trust account on behalf of someone else: if a person has a good idea, he said, they should approach an “uncle in America to get things up and running”. By this, he meant private financial backers rather than major US companies. In return, he expects that talented people, value creation and jobs will remain in Europe.
To round off the discussion, the ETH President called for the European community of states to create a fifth freedom, "the freedom of data traffic", in addition to the four existing freedoms of movement of persons, goods, services and capital. “By this I mean a well-regulated but nevertheless free movement of data. One of the goals would be to create a critical mass of data in Europe that would be sufficient to make productive use of this data."
In response to the economic opportunities presented by digitalisation, Lino Guzzella warned that it was important not to forget what began this dynamic in the first place: “fundamental research. This should continue to be promoted and supported due to the huge value that it provides.”
