On February 23, 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for the Data Act. This regulation is intended to regulate access to and use of data in the European Union in the future.
The Data Act: The framework companies really need for data sharing
German Economic Institute (IW)
On February 23, 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for the Data Act. This regulation is intended to regulate access to and use of data in the European Union in the future.
It includes requirements for data transfer to users of products and services that produce data, to government agencies, as well as data sharing contractual terms and cloud switching. The aim of the Data Act is to ensure that more data is available in Europe and that the potential of the data economy can be exploited. However, a balance must be struck between greater legal certainty and improved data access on the one hand and innovation and investment incentives for the manufacturers of products and services on the other. There is still a clear need for improvement in the proposal. The great complexity and depth of detail must be reduced so as not to overburden companies. The protection of trade secrets must also be given greater focus so that European companies do not lose competitiveness as a result of the Data Act.
The Data Act: The framework companies really need for data sharing
German Economic Institute (IW)
AI skills demand in the EU
More and more companies in Europe are using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. In 2025, one in five companies in the EU with 10 employees or more used at least one major AI technology, up from 8% in 2023 (Eurostat, 2026a).
IW
AI Specialists in Public Administration – Needs and Options for Action
The use of AI in Germany’s public sector not only offers potential for efficiency gains but, in view of the sector’s shortage of skilled staff, is also urgently needed.
IW