The case for a Connectivity Union, the Industrial Internet, the Economy of Things and helping young people navigate AI

This is Policy Digest – a newsletter from Vodafone delivering the latest stories, insights and opinion around issues affecting the connectivity sector. Scroll down for the following features:

• Europe needs a Connectivity Union, argues Joakim Reiter in POLITICO

• How the 'Business to Things' model will transform commerce

• What benefits can the Industrial Internet offer businesses?

• The new social media campaign that is helping young people navigate the opportunities and risks arising from AI

• Vodafone Foundation's 'Instant Networks' help communities affected by floods in Valencia

Why Europe needs a Connectivity Union

The challenge now facing Europe’s economy is existential. Europe must respond quickly to boost its productivity and growth. State-of-the-art connectivity can power this transition, digitalising European manufacturing, supply chains and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

As Joakim Reiter argues in POLITICO, we believe the moment has come for a new approach to deliver the economic transformation required and turn the tide of European competitiveness. Europe needs a Connectivity Union - bringing together the Commission, governments, and industry to comprehensively tackle the shortcomings in Europe’s connectivity sector.

Read: Why Europe needs a Connectivity Union – POLITICO

 ‘Business to Things’ – the future of commerce?

The new ‘Business to Things’ model is set to transform commerce and industries through enabling more efficient, transparent and automated economic interactions. B2T is an emerging future where devices can transact and trade securely with each other, without human intervention. It has resulted from edge IoT, allowing data to be processed closer to the source. 

Full story: How 'Business to Things' will transform commerce

Insights on the Industrial Internet from Vodafone’s tech experts

The latest episode of the We Are Vodafone podcast explores how the Industrial Internet brings more efficient and interconnected operations to businesses. The guests are Justin Shields, Chief Technology Officer for Vodafone Business, and Jennifer Gill Didoni, Head of Cloud, Edge, and Mobile Private Networks. 

Learn more: Listen: the dawn of the Industrial Internet

Navigating AI: Vodafone Foundation empowers Europe’s youth 

Vodafone Foundation’s Europe-wide ‘Me, Myself & AI’ campaign seeks to make trusted information on the opportunities and risks presented by AI more accessible for young people, through an engaging series of 60 shorts on TikTok and YouTube. 

Discover: Vodafone Foundation launches European 'Me, Myself & AI' campaign

In other news…

Helping communities affected by the recent floods in Valencia

Vodafone Foundation, in collaboration with Vodafone Spain and the Red Cross, has deployed six ‘Instant Networks’ to help communities affected by the recent floods in Valencia. The deployment is focused on re-establishing vital connectivity in hard-hit areas including Paiporta, Utiel, Montroy, La Eliana, and Benetusser.

Full story: Vodafone Foundation deploys Instant Network Emergency Response team in flood hit Valencia

Vodafone actively engages with governments, policymakers and regulators on issues affecting the customers and societies we serve. You can learn more about our work here: Public Policy at Vodafone