[Circle depth] Why does the European Union's Digital Revolutionary Germany "drag back"?

[Global Times, Zhao Jueyi, a special reporter in France, Italy, and Germany, Yu Yahong Zhaodong Global Times, often reported that the digital level of many EU countries is not high compared to China and the United States. However, an interesting phenomenon is that among the 27 member states of the European Union, the overall digital levels of Germany, France, and Italy are ranked 11th, 15th, and 20th respectively. Seriously inconsistent. The European Union released the "Digital Compass of 2030: Digital Ten Years of Digital" last year, hoping to "fight for the first time" in the digital revolution. What about the legs?

Open sensitive video meeting, German Prime Minister will go to the Ministry of National Defense

The German "Economic Weekly" recently used the example of Prime Minister Tsugs to explain the country's digital level. It is reported that due to the safe video call line of the Prime Minister's Palace, every time Tsubitz participated in a sensitive NATO video conference, he had to take a car to the Ministry of Defense.

The experience of Tsugs is only a microcosm of the low level of digitalization in Germany, and there are still many "anecdotes" of this industrial developed country in this regard. For example, Agence France -Presse reported that last year, the German government announced the vastness of the country that the country's teachers can finally have their own email address. This "excitement" feels "flashing" in the 1980s. Also last year, the German government announced that it would be a 1,600 fax machines at the Federal House of Federal House, and this incident surprised many people to discover that in this era, German legislature still had so many "old antiques".

After the outbreak of the new coronary pneumonia, due to the unstable Internet connection, various problems in Germany, whether it is long -range or long -range teaching. "Global Times" reporters often encounter various inconveniences in all parts of Germany. For example, free wireless networks are rarely provided in public places, and "network blind spots" are often encountered in remote areas.

Agence France -Presse believes that although Germany is located in the "head" in many technology industries, the largest European economy has been criticized "backward" in digitalization. According to the German "Business Daily" report, the "Digital Economy and Social Index (DESI) Report" released by the European Commission in November last year shows that Germany's digital index is 54.1, which is slightly higher than the EU average 50.7. In the organization 27, 27 Only ranked 11th among the member states. DESI is a comprehensive evaluation indicator specially designed by the European Union. From the aspects of connectivity and human capital, the European Union and the performance of the EU as a whole and various member states in terms of economic and social digitalization are scored.

For the "achievements" of the country, some German media issued a "soul torture": "Why can't the richest country in Europe not keep up (era)?" In fact, Germany is not the only economic power that has dragged the European Union's hind legs in digitalization, The same thing happened in France and Italy.

As the EU's second economic power, France's DESI is 50.7, which is lower than the EU average, ranking 15th among EU member states. The overall fixed broadband coverage of France is 71%, while the EU's average coverage rate reaches 77%. Only 15%of French companies provide information and communication technology training for their employees, which is seriously lower than most EU countries. A study by the French Employer Association last year showed that 1/3 French SMEs said that digital transformation is not on its recent agenda; less than 1/5 French companies use artificial intelligence to make auxiliary decisions when formulating strategies.

"Italy, which was born of scientists such as Galileo and Marcii, and the resistance to digital technology was unexpected." According to the British "Economist" magazine, when mobile phones are still rare in other countries, many Italians have begun to use this One modern communication tool. However, Italians who often use the Internet are not expected.

Last year, Italy's DESI was 45.5, which was the eighth among the 27 member states of the European Union. In the assessment of human capital, Italy scored 35.1, the third largest among EU countries. The Global Times reporter found that even in the capital Rome, the mobile phone signal in Italy is generally not very good, and there will be no signal from time to time in open areas such as parks.

Less talents and more concerns

The economic strength of Germany, France, and the Three Kingdoms is among the best in the European Union, but its digital level is beyond the end, which causes many reasons for this phenomenon. For these three countries, some reasons are common, and some are determined by their respective national conditions.

First of all, the insufficient human capital and insufficient talent resources are a major obstacle facing the digital transformation of German and French. According to the European Union's DESI report last year, only 42%of the people in Italy have basic digital skills, while the EU's average level is 56%. This can be partially attributed to the aging of the Italian population. The British "Economist" magazine pointed out that Italy's median age is the highest in Europe. According to Reuters, the EU Statistical Bureau data shows that Italian information and communication technology graduates are about 5,000 each year, less than many EU countries. At the same time, a study by the French Employer Association last year shows that the loss of digital talents is an important factor in restricting French digitalization: by 2022, French information and communications technology talents will reach 200,000. In a large number of related fields, talents are ready to go abroad to work abroad. , Even more French "digital talent deficit". According to German government data, the German IT industry was lacking in 86,000 jobs in 2020, and this situation was not improved last year. The aging population also exacerbates the problem of labor in Germany. The German Federal Statistics Bureau predicts that by 2035, the number of labor-age population (20-66 years old) in the country may fall 11%. Secondly, in terms of the connectivity of the Internet, France is less than the EU average. The overall fixed broadband coverage of France is 6 percentage points lower than the average coverage rate of EU countries. According to Agence France -Presse, in March of this year, data released by the Italian National Bureau of Statistics show that nearly 1/4 Italians do not use the Internet, and 1/3 Italian families have no fixed network connection. According to data from the German Federal Traffic and Digital Infrastructure Department, by the end of 2020, only 20.2% of large cities in the country can obtain high -quality Internet connections.

Third, people in Germany and other European countries have more doubts about digitalization. The Polish think tank Oriental Research Center (OSW) believes that German people's concerns about cyber crimes and online transaction security, as well as protection of personal data and privacy, have reserved their digital technology. In addition, according to a survey issued by the Audit and Consulting Company Ernst & Young Certified Public Accountants in 2021, 12%of German employees are worried that the promotion of digital technology will increase the risk of unemployment.

In an interview with the Global Times reporter on the 16th, Zhao Yongsheng, a researcher at the National Institute of Foreign Economic and Trade, said in an interview with the EU on the 16th that digitalization involves digital sovereignty, digital boundaries, etc. This is especially true of Germany, Italy and other EU powers. Different ways of digital enterprises are different from traditional industries, many digital operations may invade digital sovereignty in virtual. This is very concerned about European powers. In contrast, for some smaller countries, digital sovereignty is not the main issue of its consideration. They value more importantly how to attract more digital companies to invest and expand their employment in their country.

Zhao Yongsheng said that the EU power is still working hard to protect local digital companies and prevent foreign digital giants based on American companies. For smaller countries, it is not hoped to have large digital companies in the country, but it is more hoped to attract foreign digital giants to settle in.

In terms of digitalization of Germany and France, the three countries are also facing different reasons caused by their own actual situation. OSW pointed out when analyzing the low level of digitalization in Germany that the country's economic innovation model is progressive and can effectively adapt to technical adjustment, but it does not adapt to the great changes in technology, and this characteristic will further delay technological changes. "Voice of Germany" said that some professionals believe that 16 states in Germany have the right to formulate their own policies in culture, education and other fields, which hinders the federal government's modernization of public sector.

The analysis of the British "Economist" magazine quoted experts that political factors have hindered the digital transformation of Italy. The article states that from 2001 to 2011, Berluskini has long been the Prime Minister of Italy, and he is a television giant, and the Internet means a business crisis for him. Italian Telecom is the country's main fixed telephone operator. It intentionally slows the introduction of broadband to maintain its main assets -the value of copper cable network.

In addition, the report released by the OECD last year believes that because many Italian companies are small and micro enterprises, more investment cannot be used for digital transformation, resulting in the "digital gap" between them and other countries. Analysts also pointed out that most Italian small and micro enterprises are family companies, and rarely introduce people outside the family to participate in their operations, making it difficult for their vision to expand and not prefer to use new technologies.

The advantage is still there, but you need to catch up

Although the outside world often criticizes Germany and France and other countries in digitalization, the Global Times reporter found in an interview that these countries are more "indifferent". For them, the Internet is not everything about life. These people prefer to read books, listen to music, and enjoy non -digital life. In addition, some media and experts believe that Germany and other countries have many advantages in scientific and technological innovation. In addition, these countries have developed a digital strategy and their future prospects are bright.

The German "World News" believes that in terms of digitalization, Germany and Europe have undervalued. The digital road in Germany is like a 4X100 -meter relay match. The first 300 meters are perfectly completed and the last 100 meters have made a mistake. However, if Germany now sets up the right route, it can return to the forefront. Germany has the talent foundation required to promote digitalization. The European Union's DESI report last year showed that 70%of Germans have the most basic digital skills, which is higher than the EU's average level (56%). According to the British "Nature" magazine, if there is no help from artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, it is difficult to promote the transformation of the digital industry. European robotics technology is at the forefront of the world, while Italian robotic experts are at the forefront of Europe. In addition, a report from the Brucks Society in 2020 shows that Italy has formulated the world's most comprehensive AI development plan and has multiple high -level AI research infrastructure.

In the epidemic, with the popularity of long -range office and long -range education, Germany also sees its own shortcomings. Whether it is an enterprise, a school, or a government, it is vigorously promoting digital construction. The German government has released digital construction documents. In the future, the government will try to establish a synergy effect between "green transformation" and digital technology, continue to promote "Industry 4.0", and strive to gain a leading position in digital transformation.

France also injected a "strong heart" for digital transformation. In October 2021, the Macron government launched the "France 2030" investment plan, which aims to better respond to the challenges of the times through structural changes, and digital transformation is one of the main goals of this plan. Italy has also developed a digital strategy. In the formulation of the post -epidemic economic recovery plan, the Italian government plans to use the funds of about 48 billion euros for digital transformation to narrow the gap with other EU countries. Specific measures include strengthening the people's digital literacy and vocational training, and improved through digital technology improvement. Medical and health systems, expanding high -speed network coverage, etc.