Věra Jourová

The current era confronts us with a number of unprecedented new challenges, trends, and a high level of uncertainty. Powerful factors like climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and digital transformation require our society to adapt extremely fast—something that will inevitably produce societal shocks. These factors are having a severe influence on every aspect of our lives—on individuals and society as a whole. Our democratic system is under a stress test; the principles of the rule of law and shared governance are being questioned and denied by populist leaders, the vision of equality is being silenced amid the fuss of cultural wars, and the hunger for evidence-based truth has been weakened. All this is happening within the context of the increasing power of tech companies, which are developing irresponsible AI and establishing algorithms that divide society and work against/harm individual people. 
Many questions remain unanswered; a clearly articulated, forward-looking vision is urgently needed. Turning back the clock is not an option. While top-down regulation plays a role, it cannot be the sole solution. It is up to society to switch on its self-protective instincts and activate civic engagement. Is that realistic? When and how? Who will be the main drivers of the changes, and in which direction?