Although it is only in its second year, the EU Industry Day has immediately become an essential date on the Brussels calendar. Bringing together key experts from business, associations and academia with high-level institutional stakeholders, the event was extended to two days in 2018, and took place on 22-23 February. With 600 delegates attending, the overall aim of the Industry Day was to take stock of the EU’s new Industrial Policy Strategy launched last September, as well as exchanging on the future of European industry on the “road to 2030”.

The College of Commissioners was represented by no less than four of its members, who participated as keynote speakers as well as engaging directly with industrial leaders in panel discussions.

The star of the show this year was artificial intelligence, which was the focus of two panels, and was mentioned in almost every discussion between participants throughout the two days. This is hardly surprising,  as it will be the subject of a new Commission initiative to be launched in April 2018. Batteries also featured heavily, reflecting the strong EU push to become a world leader in the sector. Stakeholders also insisted countless times that Industry 4.0 and the massive changes it will bring about cannot be a success without investment in developing the skills of EU workers. More established topics, from 5G to circular economy to digital transformation, also figured strongly throughout the event.

For those not able to attend, the NOVE team has produced a note available for download to fill you in on all of the most important discussions of the day.