Hardly any technological development is racing at the speed of Artificial Intelligence. It is also playing a not to be underestimated role in connection with the COVID-19 crisis. However, in spite of all the advantages the technology has to offer, it is vital that employees, consumers and the environment are adequately protected against the dangers it poses.

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, a huge amount of fake news has been spread across the internet. Now, the Commission has recommended measures to improve the fight against future disinformation. However, comprehensive protection of internet users also requires the consequent protection of their data.

The COVID-19 crisis once more shows the necessity and urgency of a Digital Services Act. The issue is now also dealt with by the European Parliament apart from being the reason for Commissioner for Digital, Margrethe Vestager, to be invited to an exchange of views.

Whether telework, e-Learning or 5G networks: the continuing Coronavirus crisis is likely to accelerate digitalization in many areas of life. Hence, one of the self-proclaimed core issues of the European Commission has come even more into focus.

Currently, Brussels is focussing very much on digitalization. On 19 February 2020, the Commission published no fewer than three documents, which deal with the wide range of challenges of an increasingly digitalized society. Their focus was on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the EU’s digital future.

The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) explores the field of platform work and reacts with a publication on the meagre data situation. The ETUI discussed the results of this study and other research in the field of digital work in an expert round on 18.02.2020.