EUROPEAN

TECH
INSIGHTS
2022
INTRODUCTION
2022 has marked the return of war to the European
continent and the comeback of geopolitics to the
global stage. With the end of the era-defining Covid
pandemic in sight, Europeans are now faced with yet
another systemic crisis that permeates political,
economic, and technological dimensions and threatens
to dash our hopes of prosperity and better futures.
European Tech Insights, our annual survey, aims at
shedding light on the perceptions, hopes and concerns
of European citizens in the areas of political, economic,
and social change, particularly with regards to
technology. Consequently, the hybrid ramifications of
the war, the threats that technology can pose to our
common democratic values, and the trends of tech
adoption take the center stage in this edition.
As we witness a conflict of intense attrition with heavy
use of conventional weapons, multiple forms of
hybrid and technological warfare concurrently unfold
before our eyes – the consequences of which are still
unpredictable.
Europeans are aware of this deteriorating international
environment but most of all are noticeably concerned
about cyberattacks, the spread of fake news and
misinformation, and the harmful use of technology.
Nonetheless, our survey reveals that most European
citizens still place trust in technology to strengthen
our democracies, believe technology has improved their
participation in the democratic process, and support
its use by their governments. Technology therefore
brings a combination of enthusiasm and opportunity
among citizens but also challenges to the European
way of life.
The future of work and the rights of citizens in the
digital realm are two areas where these challenges
become more obvious. As technology adoption – from
augmented reality to digital currencies – accelerates,
our study reveals how automation and emerging tech
continue to heighten job security concerns and how
citizens strongly support the right to disconnect. These
trends are also deepening a growing generational divide.
Our study thus exposes deep contradictions among the
European population: citizens are concerned about
the use of technology in conflict yet have faith in
technology when it comes to strengthening our
democratic values. They worry about technological
progress when it comes to jobs yet are happy to adopt
emerging tech if it makes their lives easier.
We hope European Tech Insights 2022 will contribute
to the understanding of these contradictions, of the
challenges that technology brings to the citizenry, and
ultimately inform a very much needed policy debate
on the governance of emerging technologies.
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022
Diego del Alcázar
CEO of IE University,
Chair of the IE Center for the Governance of Change
Manuel Muñiz
Provost of IE University,
Chair of the IE Center for the Governance of Change
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
TECHNOLOGY AND
2
DEMOCRACIES
3
DIGITAL RIGHTS
4
AUTOMATION
5
THE DIGITALISATION

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

THE UKRAINE WAR AT RISK p. 15 AND EMERGING OF MONEY
p. 5 p. 10 TECHNOLOGIES p. 29
p. 20

3
KEY HIGHLIGHTS

TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Almost two thirds of Europeans (64,1%) believe
that technology is strengthening democracy,
but a large majority of them (67,3%) are worried
about the possibility of a cyberattack on critical
infrastructure in their country.
Trust in Artificial Intelligence among Europeans is
growing: more than a third of them (34,8%), and a
majority of those under 35 years old, believe an AI
algorithm would be more productive at work than
their boss.

DIGITAL RIGHTS
FUTURE OF WORK
Young Europeans are aware of digital gaps and a
Europeans are split about the future of work: while
significant proportion of under 25 year olds (42,5%) are
a majority (60,4%) do not believe their job will be
willing to pay more taxes to be able to provide internet
automated within the next 10 years, most of them
for free to those who can’t afford it. A large majority of
favour strict regulations that would limit
Europeans (57,4%), especially the younger generations,
automation by law in order to save jobs.
also back the right to disconnect after office hours.

EU RO PE AN T EC H IN SIG HTS 202 2

DISINFORMATION
A majority of European citizens (51,5%) would like to
make disinformation illegal so that those who spread
fake news on social media can be sanctioned. A vast
majority of Europeans believe fake news is the main
problem associated with social media.
DIGITALISATION OF MONEY
More than a third of Europeans and most citizens
under 35 years old would prefer to use a digital
currency rather than cash. Furthermore, a large
proportion (42,54%) of Europeans under 25 years old
support making Bitcoin legal tender.

4
1
TECHNOLOGY AND
THE UKRAINE WAR

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

5
 FINDING 1 — TECHNOLO GY AND THE UKR AINE WAR QUES TION:

Europeans believe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had deep consequences for the continent To what extent do you agree with the following state-
ment: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine means
and the world. An overwhelming majority of Europeans (68.8%) believe the invasion of Ukraine
a paradigm shift to the current world order”?
means a paradigm shift to the current world order. Only 11.9% of the European population disagree
or strongly disagree with the statement.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

% WH O AGR EE O R
S T R O N GLY D I S AGR EE
40.3% WI T H T HE S TAT EMEN T

S T R O N GLY AGR EE
R O M A NI A 42.7% 37% 79.7%
AGR EE
P O L A ND 35.7% 42% 77.7%
D I S AGR EE

E S TO NI A 30.1% 42.4% 72.5% S T R O N GLY AGR EE

I D O N ’ T K N OW
S PA IN 30% 41.7% 71.7%
AGR EE

FR A N CE 29% 39% 68%

24.3% 42.3% 66.6%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

S WED EN

28.5%
I TA LY 23% 43% 66%
S T R O N G LY
D I S AG R EE
S T R O N GLY AGR EE

20.5% 44.7% 65.2%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

NE T HER L A ND S
19.3%
3.6% GER M A N Y 29% 35% 64%
DISAGREE

8.3%
UK 20.6% 35.2% 55.8%

68.8% 11.9% 19.3% 6

 FINDING 2 — TECHNOLO GY AND THE UKR AINE WAR QUES TION:

A wide majority of Europeans (67.3%) are worried about a potential cyberattack on The recent war of Ukraine has seen a rise in cyberat-
tacks to data infrastructure. Are you concerned that
critical infrastructure in their country. Citizens of Eastern European countries are most worried:
your country might suffer a cyberattack on critical
76.7% of Poles and 73.3% of Romanians fear cyberattacks. infrastructure?

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

67.3% YES
P O L A ND 76.7% 14.6% 8.7%
NO
R O M A NI A 73.3% 19.3% 7.4
% I D O N ’ T K N OW

S PA IN 72% 15.7% 12.3%

E S TO NI A 69.5% 22.2% 8.3

%

I TA LY 68.3% 14% 17.7%

67.4% 21.3% 11.3%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

I D O N ’ T K N OW

S WED EN

GER M A N Y 65% 18.7% 16.3%

FR A N CE 64.4% 15.3% 20.3%

18.9%
13.8% NE T HER L A ND S 59% 29.1% 11.9%
YES

NO

UK 57.5% 18.9% 23.6%

7
 FINDING 3 — TECHNOLO GY AND THE UKR AINE WAR QUES TION:

Many Europeans (42.2%) believe they have been the victim of fake news related to the The spread of fake news has also increased since the
invasion of Ukraine. Do you think you might have been
Ukrainian conflict. Younger generations feel more vulnerable: up to 52.3% of those under 35 think
the victim of “fake news” related to the conflict?
they have exposed to disinformation. There are important differences between European countries:
while 68.5% of Estonians think they have been the victim of fake news, only 15.6% of British citizens
believe so.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

YES
E S TO NI A 68.5% 16.6% 14.9%
42.2%
NO
P O L A ND 64.7% 19.3% 16%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

S WED EN 60% 22.3% 17.7%

34%
R O M A NI A 54.7% 24,7% 20.6%
ANSWER S BY AGE
S PA IN 39.7% 28.7% 31.6%
17.4% 17.1%
22.9%
23.8% 25.8% 30.1% 30.3% 26.6%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

I TA LY 37.7% 32.7% 29.6%
30.3% 30.1%
NE T HER L A ND S 32.8% 41.4% 25.8% 29%
34.9%
37.1% 39.3% 46.7%
26.4% 44.3% 29.3%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

FR A N CE

GER M A N Y 21.7% 55% 23.3% 52.3% 52.8% 48.1%

39.3%
32.8% 30.4% 26.7%
YES

NO

UK 15.6% 54.8% 29.6%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+ 8

 FINDING 4 — TECHNOLO GY AND THE UKR AINE WAR QUES TION:

An overwhelming majority of Europeans (65.9%) affirm that their opinion about the Russian How has your opinion on the Russian government
changed since the invasion of Ukraine in February this
government has deteriorated or deteriorated significantly. Only 3.4% of Europeans say it has improved.
year?
This majority holds in every European country polled: (from 79% of negative opinions in Poland to 63%
in Italy). There is only one exception: Germany is the only country where this opinion barely reaches 20%.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

% WH O S E O PINI O N

45.5% H A S D E T ER I O R AT ED

I T H A S D E T ER I O R AT ED S I GNIFI C A N T LY
P O L A ND 60% 19% 79%
I T H A S D E T ER I O R AT ED
E S TO NI A 56.6% 20.9% 77.5%
I T H A S N ’ T CH A N GED

S PA IN 62% 14% 76% I T H A S IMPR OV ED

I T H A S IMPR OV ED S I GNIFI C A N T LY
R O M A NI A 51.7% 24% 75.7%
I D O N ’ T K N OW
I T H A S D E T ER I O R AT ED S I GNIFI C A N T LY

S WED EN 52% 20.3% 70.3%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

49.2% 18.6%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

UK 67.8%
20.4% 20.8%
I T H A S IMPR OV ED

I T H A S IMPR OV ED

FR A N CE 38.7% 26% 64.7%

IT HAS DETERIORATED

I T H A S N ’ T CH A N GED

S I GNIFI C A N T LY

NE T HER L A ND S 43.1% 20.2% 63.3%

10% I TA LY 35.3% 27.7% 63%

2.1%
1.2% 6.3
GER M A N Y
% 13.3% 19.6%

65.9% 20.8% 3.4% 10% 9

 2
AT RISK
DEMOCRACIES

10

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

 FINDING 5 — DEMO CR ACIE S AT RISK QUES TION:

Almost 2/3 of Europeans (64%) believe that technology is strengthening democracy. Technology is having a profound impact on society
and politics. How do you think it is affecting your
UK (42.2%) and Spain (43.7%) have the smallest share of citizens who agree with this statement,
country’s democratic institutions and processes?
while Romanian (83.7%), Estonian (83.5%) and Polish (82.7%) citizens are the most enthusiastic.
Younger European generations are more prone to believe technology is impacting democracy
positively (69.9% of 18 – 24 year-olds) than older generations (60.5% of 75+ year-olds).

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

64% T ECHN O LO GY I S
R O M A NI A 83.7% 9.7% 6.7
% S T R EN G T HENIN G T HEM

5.6 10.9% T ECHN O LO GY I S

E S TO NI A 83.5% % WE A K ENIN G T HEM
T ECHN O LO GY I S WE A K ENIN G T HEM

P O L A ND 82.7% 8.7 8.6 I D O N ’ T K N OW

% %

S WED EN 71% 10.3 18.7%

%
T ECHN O LO GY I S S T R EN G T HENIN G T HEM

ANSWER S BY AGE
NE T HER L A ND S 67.6% 16.2% 16.2%
15.7% 16.9%
21.9% 25.2% 25.2% 22.5%
30.3%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

GER M A N Y 60.3% 13% 26.7% 14.4% 15.6%
13.5% 14.7%
15% 13.3%
9.2%
I TA LY 59% 16% 25%
21.9%
FR A N CE 47% 16.7% 36.3%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

69.9% 67.5%
14.1% 64.6% 59.8% 61.5% 62.7% 60.5%
S PA IN 43.7% 26.7% 29.6%

UK 42.2% 17.9% 39.9%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

11
 FINDING 6 — DEMO CR ACIE S AT RISK QUES TION:

A majority of Europeans (56.4%) believe technology has improved their participation in the How do you think technology has changed your
participation in the democratic debate and elections?
democratic process. There are sharp differences between countries: while only 36.3% of French and 37.9%
of British citizens think technology has had a positive impact in democratic participation, more than 75%
of Romanians, Estonians and Poles believe so. Younger generations are more optimistic about the impact of
technology on democratic participation (64.5% for 18-24-year-olds) than older ones (48.7% for 75+ year-olds).

EUROPE AN
AVER AGE I T H A S IMPR OV ED
P O L A ND 77.7% 8.3 14%
% M Y PA R T I CIPAT I O N

I T H A S R ED U CED
56.4% R O M A NI A 77.3% 10.7% 12% M Y PA R T I CIPAT I O N
I T H A S R ED U CED M Y PA R T I CIPAT I O N

E S TO NI A 75.2% 10.6% 14.2% I D O N ’ T K N OW

S WED EN 66.7% 6.3 27%

%
ANSWER S BY AGE
I T H A S IMPR OV ED M Y PA R T I CIPAT I O N

I TA LY 52.3% 17.7% 30%

19.6% 24.2% 29.2% 33.6% 32.6%
35.1% 37.4%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

NE T HER L A ND S 50% 15.9% 34.1%
29.6% 15.9%
13.4%
14.2%
GERMANY 47.7% 13% 39.3% 13.4% 11.7% 16.5%
13.9%

S PA IN 43% 23.3% 33.7%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

14% 64.5% 62.4%

56.6% 54.7%
UK 37.9% 15.3% 46.8% 51.5% 50.9% 48.7%

FR A N CE 36.3% 18.7% 45%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

12
 FINDING 7 — DEMO CR ACIE S AT RISK QUES TION:

More than half of Europeans (51.5%) want disinformation to be illegal and believe their country The EU acknowledges that disinformation can be
harmful for citizens and society at large but does not
should sanction those who spread fake news on social media. All European countries polled except
consider it illegal. Do you think your country should:
Romania and Italy agree. UK (62.8%), Spain (60.4%) and Germany (58.3%) are the countries that favour a) Make it illegal,
the most this measure. This opinion is stronger among older Europeans (67.2%) than younger ones, b) Refrain from interfering,
c) I don’t know.
who would prefer governments refrain from interfering.

EUROPE AN
AVER AGE M A K E I T IL L EG A L S O T H AT PEO PL E WH O
UK 62.8% 17.6% 19.6% D EL IB ER AT ELY S PR E A D FA K E NE WS O N
S O CI A L MED I A A R E S A N C T I O NED

S PA IN 60.4% 24.3% 15.3% R EFR A IN FR O M IN T ER FER IN G O R CEN S O R IN G

A ND IN S T E A D EMP OWER CI T IZEN S AG A IN S T
51.5% D I S INFO R M AT I O N
GER M A N Y 58.3% 26.7% 15%
I D O N ’ T K N OW
E S TO NI A 55.6% 33.5% 10.9%
ANSWER S BY AGE
FR A N CE 50.7% 27.7% 21.6% 11.5% 8.2%
15.2% 12.8% 16.6% 17% 13.5%
34.3%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

NE T HER L A ND S 50.3% 36.8% 12.9% 24.6%
29.5%
R EFR A IN FR O M IN T ER FER I N G

34.4% 29.1%
39.1% 33.3%
P O L A ND 47.3% 42.7% 10% 44.2%

45.4% 37.3% 17.3%

M A K E I T IL L EG A L

S WED EN

67.2%
14.2% 57.4% 59%
I TA LY 43% 43.3% 13.7% 52.8% 49.7%
40.6% 44.3%
I DON’T
K N OW

5.3
R O M A NI A 41% 53.7% %
1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+
13
 FINDING 8 — DEMO CR ACIE S AT RISK QUES TION:

Most Europeans (42.3%) believe disinformation and fake news are the main problem associated Many experts believe that social media increases
political polarisation and undermines our democracies.
with social media. Younger Europeans aged 18 to 24, however, are more worried about hate speech
In your opinion, which of the following is the main
and extremism (38.7%) than disinformation (31.3%). It is especially the case in Germany (50%), problem associated with social media?
Sweden (42.4%) and UK (33.3%).

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

Values in % 3.3 D I S INFO R M AT I O N / FA K E NE WS

H AT E S PEECH / E X T R EMI S M
42.3% S PA IN 57 19.3 5.7 4 10.7
CL I CK B A I T/ S EN S AT I O N

POLITICAL DIVISION
R O M A NI A 54.3 15 14.7 5 5.75.3
CEN S O R S HIP

I TA LY 45 23 10.7 5 13 OT HER / I D O N ’ T K N OW

UK 43.2 17.9 9.6 3 5 21.3

ANSWER S FOR 1 8 –24 YE AR S (IN %)
CL I CK B A I T/ S EN S AT I O N

6 4.8 3 3.3
7.9 10 6.7
FR A N CE 41.7 23.7 4 7.7 8.3 14.6 7.1 6.1 16.1 7.7
2.6 9.1 18.4 21.2
2.6
22.9% 5.3 4.8 12.1 7.5 5.5 16.7
I D O N ’ T K N OW
POLITICAL DIVISION

5.5
D I S INFO R M AT I O N / FA K E NE WS

2.6
3

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

E S TO NI A 40.4 23.2 15.9 7.6 9.3 3.6 18.2 5.3 4.2
17.5
21.4 5.3 6.1 23.1
H AT E S PEECH / E X T R EMI S M

21.2 9.7
31.6 6.1 23.3
OT HER /

6.1
CEN S O R S HIP

S WED EN 37.7 23.3 7 9 11.3 11.7

20
18.2 36.8
28.6
37.3 22 14.7 12.7 8.7 4.6 41.9 42.4 23.3
P O L A ND 33.3
10.7% 47.2
25
9.6%
NE T HER L A ND S 35.1 22.5 9.9 14.2 8 10.3 50
7.3% 7.2% 42.4
23.3
33.3 31.6
24.3 22.6 21.2 20
GER M A N Y 31.4 38.7 7 7.3 12.3 13.2
6.7

UK

NCE

AND

IN

L AN R-
Y

DS
3.3

I TA L
MAN

ONI

ANI
14

EDE

HE
S PA
FR A

POL

ROM

NET
EST
SW
GER
 3
RIGHTS
DIGITAL

15

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

 FINDING 9 — DIGITAL RIGHT S QUES TION:

A significant number (42.5%) of young Europeans (18 – 24 years old) are willing to pay more Some people believe that access to the internet should
be considered a fundamental right. Would you be
taxes to be able to provide internet for free to those who can’t afford it. It is especially the case
willing to pay more taxes to be able to provide it for
in the Netherlands (63.3%), Estonia (55%) and Romania (55%), where large majorities of those aged free to those who can’t afford it in your country?
18 to 24 are willing to do so.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

YES
R O M A NI A 49.4% 33.3% 17.3%
NO
P O L A ND 40.3% 41.7% 18%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

E S TO NI A 37.8% 48.3% 13.9%

51.3%
S WED EN 37% 48.3% 14.7% ANSWER S FOR 1 8 –24 YE AR S
(IN %)

NE T HER L A ND S 32.4% 52% 15.6% 10 11.9

15 17.5 18.2 15.1 19.3 21.2
34.2 36.8

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

S PA IN 28.4% 51.3% 20.3% 26.7
30.6 30 27.5 36.4 42.9
33.3
% I TA LY 23% 54.7% 22.3%
48.4 48.5

UK 22.6% 54.1% 23.3% 47.4

50
18.1% 63.3
55 55
GER M A N Y 18.4% 63.3% 18.3% 48.5 48.5 45.2
I DON’T
K N OW

32.3 30.3
YES

18.4
NO

FR A N CE 17% 66% 17% 13.2

L AN R-

AND

UK

IN

NCE

Y
DS
16

I TA L

MAN
ONI

ANI

EDE
HE

S PA

FR A
POL
ROM
NET

EST

SW

GER
 FINDING 10 — DIGITAL RIGHT S QUES TION:

Almost 60% of European citizens would like to be able to switch to public services online, even Estonia has implemented a highly successful e-Govern-
ment programme. 99% of their public services are
if this meant closing some physical offices. Even large majorities of those aged 65 – 74 and 75+ agree
available online 24/7 (for instance, renovating your
with the proposal. Although most European women agree with the measure (53.5%), men are much more driving license or having access to your medical records).
in favour (65.4%). The only country that sees some opposition to the measure is France: more than half Would you support your country’s government doing
the same, even if it meant closing most some physical
of French citizens over 65 are not willing to switch to online public services.
offices?

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

YES
P O L A ND 74.7% 15% 10.3%
NO
59.3% R O M A NI A 74.7% 14% 11.3%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

E S TO NI A 72.5% 17.6% 9.9%

GER M A N Y 63% 20.7% 16.3%

ANSWER S “ YE S ” BY GENDER

I TA LY 61% 16% 23%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

NE T HER L A ND S 56.6% 27.8% 15.6% 65.4%

S WED EN 55.7% 26.3% 18% 53.5%

24.7%
UK 48.2% 31.5% 20.3%

16% FR A N CE 44% 38.7% 17.3%

WO MEN
I DON’T
K N OW

MEN
YES

NO

S PA IN 43% 39.3% 17.7%

17
 FINDING 11 — DIGITAL RIGHT S QUES TION:

A large majority of European citizens (57.4%) support the right to disconnect. Stronger support is Some European countries have included the right to
disconnect in their legislation. It means that a worker
seen among Millennials and Generation Z citizens: 64.1% of those aged 18 – 24 and 60% of those aged
has the right to disengage from using electronic
25 – 34 support the measure. Spaniards are the most supportive of the measure: three fourths of Spanish communications (phone, email, etc.) outside working
citizens agree with the right of disengaging from digital communications after work. hours. Do you think companies should be required to
implement such measure?

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

S PA IN 75.3% 7.7 17%
YES
%
NO
R O M A NI A 65.7% 19% 15.3%
57.4% I D O N ’ T K N OW

P O L A ND 62.7% 22.3% 15%

I TA LY 59% 16.3% 24.7%

ANSWER S BY AGE
UK 57.8% 19.6% 22.6%
17.1% 15%
20.8% 20.5% 21.3% 20.5% 21%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

FR A N CE 56.7% 21.3% 22%
18.8% 25%
20.9% 23.7% 23.8% 24%
E S TO NI A 55.6% 30.1% 14.3% 31.8%

23.3%
53.7% 26% 20.3%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

GER M A N Y
19.3%
64.1% 60% 58.5% 55.8% 54.9% 55.5%
NE T HER L A ND S 53.6% 30.1% 16.2% 47.2%
YES

NO

S WED EN 34% 40.7% 25.3%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

18
 FINDING 12 — DIGITAL RIGHT S QUES TION:

A considerable number of young Europeans affirm they have been discriminated online based on Do you believe you have ever been discriminated
online (treated unfairly, unethically, or just differently)
their personal data: almost 40% of Europeans aged 18 – 24 and a third of those aged 25 – 34 believe
based on your personal data?
so. A majority of Romanians (61.5%), Poles (57.6%), Swedes (54.5%) and a large number of Spaniards (41.9%)
aged 18 – 24 believe they have been discriminated online. Likewise, most Romanians (58.5%), Dutch (58.2%),
Poles (49.3%) and a large number of Swedes (45.90%) aged 25 – 34 believe so too.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

YES
EUROPE AN AVER AGE
60.8% (IN %) NO

I D O N ’ T K N OW

13.7 16.8 17.2 14.7 15.9

17.6 19.9

ANSWER S FOR 1 8 –24 YE AR S

(IN %)
6.7
12.1 9.1 11.9
15.1
42.8 25.8 21.1 22.5
53.2 29 30.3

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

57 26.4
64.9
68.2 73.4 27.3 36.4
53.3
78.5
32.3 44.7 59.5
47.5
22.5%
60.5 60.6
16.7% 39.6 61.5 57.6
54.5
33.1
I DON’T

41.9
K N OW

40
23.1 34.2 30
18.3 28.6
YES

NO

14.6 11.9
5.6 10.5 9.1
1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

AND

IN

L AN R-

A
Y

UK

NCE

Y
DS

I TA L
MAN
ANI

ONI
EDE
19

HE
S PA

FR A
POL
ROM

NET

EST
SW

GER
4
AUTOMATION AND
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

20
 FINDING 13 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

For three years in a row, a large proportion of Europeans favour limiting automation by law in order Should European governments limit automation by
law in order to save jobs and prevent technological
to save jobs. Support for this measure peaked during the pandemic (47% in 2021) but has now gone back
unemployment?
to pre-pandemic levels (44.8%). Support for the measure remains high in France (62.7%) and Spain (55.7%).
Compared to last year, support for the measure has decreased in Italy (from 54% to 43%), the Netherlands
(from 46% to 41.1%), the UK (from 44% to 39.2%) and Sweden (from 42% to 38%) but remains the preferred
option in these countries.

% IN FAVOUR OF LIMITING 2022 2021 2020

AUTOMATION

20 30 40 50 60 70 YES

EUROPE AN 62.7 NO
59 63
AVER AGE FRANCE
I D O N ’ T K N OW
42 55.7 61
SPAIN CO MPA R ED WI T H 20 2 1

52.7 CO MPA R ED WI T H 20 20
ROMANIA
44.8% 45.3 54
40
POLAND

43 44 54
ITALY

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

32.2% 41.1 46 50
NETHERLANDS
39.2 42 44
UK
23%
38.3 42
SWEDEN

27 35.1 38
I DON’T
K N OW

ESTONIA
YES

NO

34.7 43
35
GERMANY

21
 FINDING 14 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

The opinion of Europeans towards Big Tech companies has seen a positive shift since last year, when In your view, what should European governments do
with the so-called GAFA companies (Google, Apple,
many of them (42%) wanted to limit their size. Conversely, this year more European citizens (44.1%) are
Facebook, and Amazon)?
in favour of supporting their growth. The differences by age are very pronounced: while a majority (51.6%)
of those aged 18 – 24 favour supporting them, most of those aged 75+ would like to limit them (48.2%).
Nonetheless, a significant proportion of Germans (48%), Dutch (42.7%) and Spaniards (40.3%) still think
that governments should limit the size of the GAFA or even de-escalate them.

% SUPPORT THEIR GROW TH . . . 2022 2021 2020

SUPP O R T T HEIR GR OW T H B EC AUS E T HE Y
CR E AT E J O B S A ND VA LUA B L E . . .

20 30 40 50 60 70 L IMI T T HEIR S IZE A ND E V EN D EE S C A L AT E

T HEM S IN CE . . .

EUROPE AN 32 57 62
POLAND I D O N ’ T K N OW
AVER AGE
61
CO MPA R ED WI T H 20 2 1
ROMANIA
CO MPA R ED WI T H 20 20
43 53 55
ESTONIA
44.1% 48 54 54 ANSWER S BY AGE
ITALY

31 40 40.3 16.9% 19.9% 21.7%

23% 25.4% 22.1%
FRANCE 27%
33.4%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

24 37
SUPP O R T T HEIR GR OW T H

SWEDEN 31.5% 26.1%

31.2%
30 35.6 43 31% 34.2% 44.5% 48.2%
UK
22.5%
L IMI T T HEIR S IZE

28 35.4 46
NETHERLANDS
35 51.6% 54%
27 45
I DON’T

45.8% 42%
K N OW

SPAIN 40.4%
33.8% 29.7%
23 25.7 31
GERMANY
1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+
22
 FINDING 1 5 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

A wide majority of Europeans (60.4%) do not believe their job will be automated within the Experts believe that up to 50% of jobs are at risk of
automation in some industries. Do you believe your job
next 10 years. Lowest rates are found in the UK and Germany (9%). Highest rates are found in Romania
will be automated within the next 10 years?
(39.7%) and Poland (29.7%). There is an important generational gap: older Europeans are less worried
about automation: more than two thirds of those above 55 don’t think their jobs will be automated in
the next decade.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

E S TO NI A 71.2% 19.9% 8.9 NO

%
YES
60.4%
UK 70.4% 9% 20.6%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

GER M A N Y 68.7% 9% 22.3%

S WED EN 63% 21% 16%

ANSWER S BY AGE
NE T HER L A ND S 61.9% 23.9% 14.2% 19.8% 16.7% 19.2% 18.5% 25.1%
18.1% 19.3%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

I TA LY 61.3% 15% 23.7%
7.2%
11.8%
23.2% 17.4% 12.3%
58.4% 20.3% 21.3% 29.3%
S PA IN 33.2%

20.6% P O L A ND 54.3% 29.7% 16%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

19%
67.7%
FR A N CE 52% 18.7% 29.3% 64.5% 68.4% 69.7%
54% 57.6%
47%
YES
NO

R O M A NI A 43% 39.7% 17.3%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

23
 FINDING 16 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

Many Europeans (41.2%) believe that Science and Technology skills will be critical in the job In your opinion, what kind of skills will be critical in
the job market 10 years from now?
market in 10 years, while only 5% believe Business skills will matter. A third of Europeans (33.7%)
believe General skills will be the most critical. There are significant differences between European
countries: while more than half of Germans (50.7%) and most of the French (41.3%) believe General
Skills are the most important ones, more than half of Italians (55.3%) and Romanians (53%) think it is
Science and Technology skills that will matter the most 10 years from now.

1.4 S CIEN CE A ND T ECHN O LO GY S K IL L S

EUROPE AN AVER AGE I TA LY 55.3% 21.3% 6.3 15.7%
GENER A L S K IL L S
(CO MMUNI C AT I O N , T E A MWO R K , E TC .)
R O M A NI A 53% 30% 7% 6 4 HUM A NI T IE S S K IL L S

B US INE S S S K IL L S
NE THERL ANDS 47.4% 26.2% 8.6 5.6 12.2%
OT HER / I D O N ’ T K N OW
E S TO NI A 45.7% 36.4% 7.6 4.7 5.6

41.2%
UK 41.9% 30.2% 10.3 3.7 14%

33.7%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

S WED EN 40% 27% 14% 6.7 12.3%

P O L A ND 37% 35.7% 11% 7.3 9%

S PA IN 34% 38% 4 4.7 19.3%

GER M A N Y 30% 50.7% 3.7 4.6 11%

12.1%
8% 5% FR A N CE 28% 41.3% 7 5.7 18%

S CIEN CE A ND GENER A L HUM A NI T IE S B US INE S S I D O N ’ T K N OW

24
T ECHN O LO GY S K IL L S S K IL L S S K IL L S
S K IL L S
 FINDING 17 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

Europeans are hopeful about the future of work, as most of them (57.4%) believe AI and Artificial Intelligence and automation are redefining
jobs. What type of jobs do you think will be created in
automation will bring about more meaningful jobs. This opinion is more widespread in
the next 10 years?
Estonia (72.8%), Italy (69.4%) and Poland (68%). Nevertheless, almost a third of Dutch (31,1%)
and French (30.7%) citizens believe emerging technologies will produce more monotone jobs.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

E S TO NI A 72.8% 18.9% 8.3 M O R E ME A NIN GFUL , HI GH S K IL L ED J O B S
%
M O R E M O N OTO NE , LOW S K IL L ED J O B S
69.4% 14.3% 16.3%
57.4% I TA LY
I D O N ’ T K N OW

P O L A ND 68% 21.7% 10.3

%

6.3
R O M A NI A 65.7% 28% %

S PA IN 59.7% 25.3% 15%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

S WED EN 57.7% 24.7% 17.6%

54% 23.3% 22.7%

M O R E ME A NIN GFUL ,

GER M A N Y
HI GH S K IL L ED J O B

24.5%
M O R E M O N OTO NE ,
LOW S K IL L ED J O B

46.4% 31.1% 22.5%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

NE T HER L A ND S
18.1%
FR A N CE 44.7% 30.7% 24.6%

UK 36.2% 26.9% 36.9%

25
 FINDING 1 8 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

More than a third of Europeans (34.8%) believe an AI algorithm would be more productive at Who do you think would be more productive at work,
an Artificial Intelligence algorithm, or your boss?
work than their bosses. Many young Europeans aged 18 – 24 (44.8%) and 25 – 34 (40.2%) agree with
this statement. Most Romanians (52.4%), Estonians (43.1%), Poles (41.7%) and Italians (32.3%) trust the
AI to be more productive. On the opposite side, it is the citizens of the Netherlands, Spain, Germany,
Sweden and the UK that trust their bosses more.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

A I A LGO R I T HM
R O M A NI A 52.4% 32.3% 15.3%
MY BOSS
E S TO NI A 43.1% 34.4% 22.5%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

35.9% 41.7% 35.3% 23%

34.8% P O L A ND

I TA LY 32.3% 31% 36.7%

29.3% ANSWER S BY AGE
S PA IN 32% 39.3% 28.7%
20.5% 22.4%
30.4% 28.8% 33.5%
35.4%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

S WED EN 31.4% 39.3% 29.3% 41%

NE T HER L A ND S 30.4% 40.1% 29.5% 34.7%

37.4%
36.4% 38.7% 33.5%
32.6%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

FR A N CE 28.7% 31.6% 39.7%

A I A LGO R I T HM

38.5%
MY BOSS

GER M A N Y 28.4% 38.3% 33.3% 44.8% 40.2%

33.2% 32.5% 32% 33%
20.5%
UK 28.2% 37.2% 34.6%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

26
 FINDING 19 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

A majority of Europeans would be willing to buy furniture (52.6%), groceries (48%), and clothes Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that adds
digital content to the real-world. For instance, retail
(47.5%) using Augmented Reality (AR). Younger generations of Europeans overwhelmingly support the
stores are introducing AR experiences that allow you
use of this technology: more than 60% of those under 35 would buy furniture using AR, while 58% of the to explore the aisles from home and shop online.
same age bracket would buy groceries online with AR. Would you be willing to use this technology to:
1. Buy groceries at the supermarket
2. Buy furniture for your house
3. Buy your day-to-day clothes

EUROPE AN AVER AGE ANSWER S FOR 1 8 –24 YE AR S

YES

NO
6.8
GR O CER IE S 60.2% 33%
% I D O N ’ T K N OW
52.6% 10.3
FUR NI T UR E 58.2% 31.5%
%
48% 47.5%
9.5
CLOT HE S 56% 34.5%
%
41.5% 41.8%

37.1%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

ANSWER S FOR 2 5 –3 4 YE AR S

10.2
GR O CER IE S 63.5% 26.3%
%

11.1
FUR NI T UR E 58.3% 30.6%
10.3% 10.5% 10.7% %

11.4
CLOT HE S 58.1% 30.5%
%
FUR NI T UR E GR O CER IE S CLOT HE S
27
 FINDING 20 — AUTOMATION AND EMERGING TECHNOLO GIE S QUES TION:

A large number of Europeans (45.1%) do not trust digital devices and worry about their privacy Some people worry about the privacy implications of
home appliances being connected to the internet. Do
around them. The citizens of Spain (60%) and Poland (50.7%) are most worried about their gadgets,
you feel observed or listened to by your digital devices
while Swedes (58%), Germans (47.6%) and Brits (47.2%) trust them and do not feel observed or listened to. (smartphone, computer, smart TV, etc.)?
The generational gap is pronounced, as younger people are more worried about their privacy: 57.2% of
those under 25 years old worry about their connected devices, while the same percentage of those
aged 75 and more are not worried about them.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

YES
S PA IN 60% 27.3% 12.7%
NO
P O L A ND 50.7% 38.3% 11%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

I TA LY 46% 33.7% 20.3%

45.7% 46.7% 7.6

45.1% E S TO NI A
%
43% ANSWER S BY AGE
R O M A NI A 44.3% 41.7% 14% 10.8% 10% 10% 11.3% 11.8%
12.6% 16.6%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

FR A N CE 43.7% 40.6% 15.7%
32% 36.6% 39.7%
NE T HER L A ND S 43.1% 49% 7.9 46.8% 50.6%
% 47.7% 58%

GER M A N Y 41.7% 47.6% 10.7%

57.2% 53.4%
UK 40.2% 47.2% 12.6% 50.4%
I DON’T

40.6%
K N OW

11.9% 35.7% 38.1%

30.3%
YES

NO

S WED EN 36% 58% 6%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

28
5
THE DIGITALISATION
OF MONEY

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

29
 FINDING 21 — THE DIGITALIS ATION OF MONE Y QUES TION:

More than a quarter of Europeans (27%) would support making Bitcoin legal tender. El Salvador has become the first country in the world
to make the cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender.
A significant number (42.5%) of Europeans under 25 years old favour the measure. Lowest support
Would you support making Bitcoin a legal form of
for Bitcoin becoming legal tender is found in Germany (10.6%), the UK (12.6%) and France (13.7%). currency in your country in addition to the Euro?
This would mean that you could use Bitcoin as a form
of payment in shops and businesses.

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

NO
GER M A N Y 75.7% 10.6% 13.7%
YES
UK 69.1% 12.6% 18.3%
I D O N ’ T K N OW
55.4%
FR A N CE 65% 13.7% 21.3%

S PA IN 58.3% 20% 21.7%

ANSWER S BY AGE
S WED EN 56.3% 30% 13.7%
15.4% 15.6% 13% 16.4%
21.8% 18.6% 19.7%
11.9% 3.6%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

NE T HER L A ND S 54.3% 34.4% 11.3%
18%
37% 26.6%
42.5%
27% I TA LY 50.7% 21.6% 27.7% 31.9%

44.7% 37.4% 17.9%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

E S TO NI A
17.6% 75.1% 80%
62.3%
54.8%
P O L A ND 42.3% 41.7% 16% 47.4% 46.3%
42.1%
YES
NO

R O M A NI A 37.7% 47.6% 14.7%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

30
 FINDING 2 2 — THE DIGITALIS ATION OF MONE Y QUES TION:

More than a third of Europeans (33.9%) would prefer to use a digital currency (Digital Euro, The European Central Bank is studying launching a

Digital Pound, etc.) rather than cash in their countries. Many Europeans (43%) under 35 favour Digital Euro: an electronic form of money (akin to
banknotes and issued by the EU) that would compete
digital currencies over cash. Romanians (51.7%), Swedes (48.7%) and Estonians (47.4%) are the most against other cryptocurrencies. Unlike Bitcoin, a
enthusiastic about the use of digital currencies over cash. Digital Euro would be less prone to fluctuations and
would be considered money. If this project goes
ahead, would you:

EUROPE AN AVER AGE

PR E FE R T O U SE D IGIT A L E U RO
R O M A NI A 51.7% 36% 12.3% (DIGITAL POUND IN UK)

KEEP USING CASH

S WED EN 48.7% 32.6% 18.7%
I D O N ’ T K N OW

E S TO NI A 47.4% 36.4% 16.2%

48.4%
P O L A ND 42% 44% 14%
ANSWER S BY AGE
NE T HER L A ND S 35.8% 59.2% 5
% 14.7% 16.5% 16.4%
21.2% 17.5% 18.7% 17.1%

33.9%

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

I TA LY 30.3% 41.7% 28%

41.3% 41.5%
UK 22.6% 57.8% 19.6%
PR EFER TO US E T HE

47.6% 50.3% 51% 54%

K EEP US IN G C A S H

63.1%
D I GI TA L P O UND

22.3% 54.7% 23%

I D O N ’ T K N OW

FR A N CE

17.7%
GER M A N Y 21% 63.3% 15.7%
44% 42%
31.2% 32.2% 30.3% 28.9%
20.5%
S PA IN 17.4% 58.3% 24.3%

1 8 –24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+

31
SURVEY
METHODOLOGY
ESTONIA,
European Tech Insights 2022 was fielded in June 2022. FRANCE,
The data was received in July and analyzed by the
IE Center for the Governance of Change in July and GERMANY,
ITALY,
August 2022. We surveyed 3,005 adults from 10 countries
(Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland,
Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom). Samples
were representative in terms of age and sex.
NETHERLANDS,
POLAND,
Respondents were part of recurrent panels recruited
by Netquest or affiliated companies into panels via ROMANIA,
social media, direct mailing or through referrals from
other respondents. They receive small in-kind incen- SPAIN,
tives for responding to each survey.
SWEDEN AND
UNITED KINGDOM

202 2
IN SIG HTS2022
T EC H INSIGHTS
3,005

RO PE AN TECH
RESPONDENTS

EUROPEAN
EU
32
Irene Blázquez,
Director
Irene Blázquez is a legal scholar and international
lawyer by training, as well as a specialist in strategy,
security, defense, and technology. She previously
served as Adviser to the State Secretary for Global
Spain (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and as Head of
the Strategic Planning Office (National Security
Department – Spanish Prime Minister’s Office) between
2012 and 2020. Her duties included the coordination
of the Technical Secretariat of the National Security
Council, a Government Delegated Commission headed
by the Prime Minister.
Irene is a Senior lecturer in public international law
(on leave) at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and
was awarded the best PhD thesis prize. Irene holds a
master’s degree in EU Law (Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid), and diplomas in National Defense (Spanish
Ministry of Defense), National and International
Security (Harvard Kennedy School), and Common
Security and Defense Policy (European Security and
Defense College).
Carlos Luca de Tena,
Executive Director
Carlos Luca de Tena Piera is a public policy professional
and technology specialist who has advised multilateral
organisations and top multinational companies in
public affairs and strategic communications. He is the
Executive Director of the Center for the Governance
of Change.
Carlos has worked as a Consultant at Llorente & Cuenca
and APCO Worldwide and was in charge of European
Affairs at the French Association of Town Mayors.
He has extensive experience helping organisations
effectively build and increase their visibility and
2022
INSIGHTS 2022
reputation and has worked with all types of actors
in defining and implementing their stakeholder
TECH INSIGHTS
engagement strategies. Carlos holds a master’s degree
in European Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and the
EUROPEAN TECH
University of Bath and studied as an undergraduate at
Sciences Po Paris, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
EUROPEAN
and the London School of Economics.
33
 ABOUT
This study was conducted by the IE Center for the Governance Moreover, the CGC also runs a number of executive programs
of Change (CGC), an applied-research, educational institution on emerging tech for public institutions and companies

THE CGC
that studies the political, economic, and societal implications of interested in expanding their understanding of disruptive trends,
the current technological revolution and advances solutions to and a series of outreach activities aimed at improving the
overcome its unwanted effects. general public’s awareness and agency over the coming changes.

EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2022

The CGC does so by producing pioneering, impact-oriented All this for one purpose:
research that cuts across disciplines and methodologies to unveil
TO HELP BUILD A MORE
the complexity of emerging technologies such as artificial
intelligence, big data, blockchain, and robotics, and explores PROSPEROUS AND SUSTAINABLE
their potential threats and contributions to society. SOCIETY FOR ALL.

34
 WWW.IE.EDU/CGC
Design: epoqstudio.com