ICT 2018-2020 Scoping Paper Published by EU

The European Commission has published Scoping Paper for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) 2018-2020 Work Programme.

The paper was developed following consideration of the Digitising European Industry communication (April 2016); the report of the Directorate General Communications Networks, Content & Technology Advisory Forum and the strategic research agendas of the relevant cPPPs.

It identifies a large number of key priorities to be translated into specific calls:

• Ensuring future-proof connectivity and preparing for the internet of the future; 5G (cPPP) and Next Generation Internet initiative;
• Building on European strengths and supporting the digitisation of industry; electronics and photonics; advanced computing and cloud computing; robotics;
• Building a competitive and inclusive data-driven economy and society; Big Data (cPPP) and interactive and media technologies; digital empowerment through data-driven learning, language and accessibility technologies;
• Setting up large scale pilots addressing cross-sector challenges; Internet of Things; Big Data, robotics, photonics, artificial intelligence, micro-/nano-systems, cyber physical systems and cybersecurity as appropriate;
• Boosting digital innovation capacity across Europe and supporting standards; support to standardisation; Innovative procurement; Inducement prizes; Innovation radar; Open Disruptive Innovation;
• Exploring new high potential areas; Artificial intelligence;
• International cooperation calls; continuation of calls with Brazil, Japan and South Korea;
• Next Generation Internet Initiative; mid- to long-term research and development on essential architectural and services building blocks of a next generation Internet;
• Building on European strengths and supporting the digitisation of industry; Electronics and Photonics, Advanced computing and Cloud computing; robotics;
• Building a competitive and inclusive data-driven economy and society; Big data cPPP, Interactive and Media Technologies; Digital empowerment through data-driven learning, language and accessibility technologies;
• Cross-cutting activities and new high-potential areas; Cross-sectorial and integrated large scale pilots and digital platforms; Digital Automation; Internet of Things; Cyber security; Artificial Intelligence;
• Boosting digital innovation capacity across Europe and supporting standards; Support to standardisation; Innovative procurement; Inducement prizes; Innovation radar.

The scoping papers are working documents not formally endorsed by the Commission, the adoption and publication of the 2018-2020 work programme is expected in October 2017.