EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021 - Embracing and Governing Technological Disruption - IE
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EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021 Part II Embracing and Governing Technological Disruption
INSTITUTIONAL REMARKS
There has always existed an interplay between human- On the other hand, there has been a decline in trust of Indeed, this was the catalyst for the creation of the
kind and technology’s promise to improve our lives. democracy and an increase in political polarization. Center for the Governance of Change. Through the
Seldom, and certainly not in modern times, has the Europeans are increasingly seeing that this is made Center, we are researching precisely how emerging
adoption of technology accelerated as quickly as it has worse by social media and are, in general, feeling more technologies are reshaping the world and, more
with the Covid-19 pandemic. negatively towards the Big Tech companies. This is in importantly, how to govern this change in areas from
part because geopolitical conflict accompanied our geopolitics and data privacy to economics. This is in
migration to the digital domain. It now threatens to line with IE University’s broader goal to reinvent
IN THE PAST YEAR, splinter the internet, and to disrupt supply chains and higher education through technological change.
THE LION’S SHARE OF WORK companies.
We are thrilled to present you with this year’s European
AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
Whilst the relevance of technology and the digital Tech Insights and its focus on what we as humans can
HAS GONE DIGITAL AND domain is increasing at an exponential rate, much delegate to robots and AI, how to handle the geo-
THUS TECHNOLOGIES HAVE remains unregulated. The digital economy relies on political conflict over technology, and the ways in
the wholesale of private data; the digital discussion is which technology can strengthen our democracy. It is
PERMEATED THE FABRIC OF
filtered through algorithms that do not favor veracity our hope that this report will encourage you to join the
EVERYDAY LIFE. and reason; and the geopolitical conflict is lacking new discussion on how rapid technological change can be
governance solution. governed for the benefit of society.
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
This has created both immense opportunities and
complex challenges. On one hand, citizens are now able We have before us a unique opportunity, thanks to
to engage with the world from their living rooms and technological development, to improve our lives, Diego del Alcázar Benjumea
have access to an unprecedented breadth of knowledge. societies, and the international system. The question Vice President of IE University, Co-chair of the Center
Technology is revolutionizing healthcare in areas such is: what should be done? This is the key motivation for the Governance of Change.
as diagnosis and vaccine production. In the case of behind our annual report, European Tech Insights,
tedious and dangerous tasks, we have been able to which investigates how citizens see their relationship Susana Malcorra
substitute humans with robots, and algorithms for our with technology and how we can actively shape the Dean of the School of Global and Public Affairs,
advanced computation. future accordingly. Co-chair of the Center for the Governance of Change.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE REGULATION
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
THE GEOPOLITICS DEMOCRACY IN EMBRACING
OF TECHNOLOGY THE DIGITAL AGE TECHNOLOGY? OF BIG TECH
p. 5 p. 8 p. 12 p. 17
3
KEY FINDINGS
A vast majority of Europeans want democracy to go digital. There is a strong and broad support for the introduction
72% would prefer to vote via their smartphones of a “tech tax” with 65% of citizens in favor and
rather than physically, and only 17% are against. 15% against.
The perception of Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple has
Over 50% of Europeans support replacing their deteriorated notably over the last year: only Germany
parliamentarians with algorithms. Younger generations supported breaking them up last year. Today all
particularly support this, with 60% of 25–34 year olds in favor.
European countries except Italy and Poland
are in favor of limiting the power of Tech giants.
The vast majority of Europeans (86%) believes
42% of Europeans support the use of facial digital addiction is a problem. This view is in particular
technology in their daily lives if it makes them
strong among the younger generations that use smartphones
more convenient.
more heavily.
1
THE GEOPOLITICS
OF TECHNOLOGY
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
5
FI N D I N G 1 — G EO P O LITI C S O F EU RO P E Q U E S TI O N :
Over the course of the last years, we have seen an escalating power competition between the US and There is increasing confrontation between the US
and China, who are competing for economic and
China in the economic and technological fields. Having to pick sides, Europeans firmly support the US
technological dominance. Who would you prefer
(47%) rather than China (12%). Europe is also the preferred partner for both American (73%) and Chinese (64%) Europe to side with?
respondents. However, there are notable differences among European states: while over 50% of Polish, Italian and
Estonian prefer to side with the US, only about a third of the citizens of EU’s largest states like Germany side with
the transatlantic partner.
12% 47 %
With China With the US With the US
POL AND 60% 33% 7%
With China
I TA LY 55% 33% 12%
I don’t know
E S TO N I A 53% 35% 12%
3% 73 %
With China With the EU
UK 51% 42% 7%
EU RO PE A N 24%
AV E R AG E SWEDEN 49% 38% 13% I don’t know USI N
CH AA
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
NETHERL ANDS 48% 38% 14%
5% 64 %
S PA I N 41% 39% 20%
With the US With the EU
FR ANCE 37% 55% 8% 31%
41% I don’t know CH I N A
I don’t know GERMANY 35% 53% 12%
6
FI N D I N G 2 — CO N FLI C T OV E R 5 G Q U E S TI O N :
Even though a number of European countries have banned Huawei from providing 5G, a majority of Europeans Some European governments are concerned about the
involvement of Chinese companies (like Huawei) in
(41%) are against banning Chinese companies from their telecommunications networks. Only Sweden (48%),
their 5G networks due to possible Chinese government
UK (43%) and France (38%) do not want Chinese companies getting involved in their 5G, while 56% of Italians and surveillance. However, these companies could also
help lower prices for mobile users. Should European
52% of Spaniards do not think they should be banned. By contrast, 68% of Chinese respondents think Europeans should
governments ban Chinese companies from their
be allowed to help build their network. telecommunications networks?
SWEDEN 48% 28% 24% CH I N E S E AV E R AG E
68%
Yes
UK 43% 31% 26%
No
FR ANCE 38% 30% 32%
I don’t know
POL AND 37% 16% 47%
24%
NETHERL ANDS 35% 25% 40%
8%
E S TO N I A 34% 20% 46%
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
GERMANY 28% 26% 46%
Q U E S TI O N :
I TA LY 25% 19% 56%
Some European governments are concerned about the
S PA I N 17% 31% 52% involvement of Chinese companies (like Huawei) in
their 5G networks and are discussing banning them.
Do you think European providers should be allowed
E U R O P E A N AV E R AG E 34% 25% 41%
to help build the 5G network in China?)
7
2
DEMOCRACY IN
THE DIGITAL AGE
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
8
FI N D I N G 3 — D I G ITA L D E M O CR AC Y Q U E S TI O N :
A vast majority of Europeans (72%) would like to be able to vote in elections through their smartphone, If voting in elections via internet was 100% secure,
would you be willing to vote on your smartphone
while only 17% would oppose it. Strongest support is found in Poland (80%), Estonia (79%), Italy (78%) and Spain
instead of physically?
(73%). Similar numbers are found in the United States, where 58% support the idea and only 22% is opposed to it. In
China, an overwhelming majority (81%) support smartphone voting.
% in favor of voting on their smartphone
11% 72 %
I don’t know Yes POLAND 80% Yes
ESTONIA 79% No
I don’t know
ITALY 78%
17% SPAIN 73% 20% 58%
No I don’t know Yes
GERMANY 69%
EU RO PE A N
AV E R AG E NETHERLANDS 69% 22% USI N
CH AA
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
No
FRANCE 68%
SWEDEN 65% 4% I don’t know
15% No
UK 64%
81%
CH I N A Yes
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
9
FI N D I N G 4 — A I A N D D E M O CR AC Y Q U E S TI O N :
51% of Europeans support reducing the number of national parliamentarians and giving those seats to an How would you feel about reducing the number of
national parliamentarians in your country and giving
algorithm. This proposal is particularly popular in Spain (66%), Italy (59%) and Estonia (56%), whilst the citizens
those seats to an artificial intelligence algorithm
of Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden are mostly against. The results vary significantly by generation, that would have access to your data to maximise your
with the younger ones being more open to the idea: over 60% of Europeans aged 25-34 and 56% of those aged 34-44 interests?
are excited about this measure, whereas a majority of respondents above 55 years old is against. China and the US
hold opposite views: 75% of the Chinese support it, 60% of Americans oppose it.
EU RO PE A N AV E R AG E
50 S PA I N 34% 32% 15% 19%
16% Strongly in favor.
23%
I TA LY 29% 30% 24% 17%
40 Somewhat in favor.
E S TO N I A 10% 46% 31% 13% Somewhat against.
30
35%
POL AND 20% 35% 30% 15% Strongly against.
26%
20
FR ANCE 18% 34% 26% 22%
10 SWEDEN 10% 37% 24% 29%
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
GERMANY 15% 31% 30% 24%
0
NETHERL ANDS 6% 38% 27% 29%
1 8 –24 10% 37% 33% 20%
2 5 –3 4 18% 42% 22% 18% UK 4% 27% 29% 40%
35–44 18% 38% 27% 17%
45–54 16% 32% 27% 25% USA 8% 32% 25% 35%
55–64 14% 29% 25% 32%
CHINA 15% 60% 20% 5%
>64 20% 27% 26% 27%
10FI N D I N G 5 — I M PROV I N G D E M O CR AC Y Q U E S TI O N :
Both Europeans and Americans agree that ending corruption is the most important step to restore trust Data suggest that satisfaction with democracy has
declined the last decades. What would be the most
in democracy. In aggregate, Europeans also think improving welfare is critical and place it as the second most
important step to improve your belief in democracy?
important action, while “electing a strong leader” comes as the last priority. Only Sweden believes improving
welfare is more important than putting an end to corruption. Holding online referendums for important policy
decisions is also the second preferred option for French and German respondents.
1.
EU RO PE A N Putting an end to corruption.
AV E R AG E
Improving welfare.
2
Reforming the electoral system.
2.
Putting an end to corruption. Holding online popular votes for important policy decisions.
Electing a strong leader.
Most preferred choice
3.
2,5
Most preferred choice
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
Improving 4.
welfare. Reforming the
electoral system.
3
5.
Holding online popular votes for
important policy decisions.
3,5
Electing a strong leader. ESTONIA FR ANCE GERMANY ITALY POL AND NETHERL ANDS SPAIN SWEDEN UK USA CHINA
113
EMBRACING
TECHNOLOGY?
12
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021FI N D I N G 6 — RO BOT S A N D H U M A N S Q U E S TI O N :
More than a third of Europeans (35%) prefer to have a package delivered by a robot rather than a In the following situations, would you rather interact
with a human or a robot?
human. The view is strongest in Estonia (78%), Poland (43%) and Sweden (38%). Europeans prefer to interact with
humans when ordering food except 30% of the Dutch, who would prefer a robot. However, few respondents trust
robots to drive them home (15%) or perform a medical test (8%). Americans hold similar views, with 38% of them
preferring to deal with robots when receiving packages and 25% when ordering food. In China, a majority of citizens
would prefer to deal with a robot when ordering food (56%) and receiving a package (53%).
R E C E I V E A PAC K AG E ORDER FOOD IN A CAFETERIA
FR ANCE 17% 83% FR ANCE 13% 87%
Robot
S PA I N 22% 78% S PA I N 14% 86%
UK 23% 77% UK 16% 84%
28% 72% 20% 80% Human
GERMANY POL AND
I TA LY 29% 71% E S TO N I A 21% 79%
NETHERL ANDS 29% 71% GERMANY 21% 79%
SWEDEN 38% 62% I TA LY 21% 79%
POL AND 43% 57% SWEDEN 22% 78%
E S TO N I A 78% 22% NETHERL ANDS 30% 70%
EUROPE 34% 66% EUROPE 20% 80%
USA 38% 62% USA 25% 75%
CHINA 53% 47% CHINA 56% 44%
TA K E A TA X I H O M E H AV E A M E D I C A L T E S T
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
FR ANCE 10% 90% GERMANY 2% 98%
NETHERL ANDS 12% 88% FR ANCE 4% 96%
UK 12% 88% UK 4% 96%
GERMANY 13% 87% S PA I N 5% 95%
I TA LY 14% 86% E S TO N I A 7% 93%
S PA I N 14% 86% I TA LY 8% 92%
POL AND 16% 84% NETHERL ANDS 10% 90%
SWEDEN 21% 79% SWEDEN 15% 85%
E S TO N I A 27% 73% POL AND 19% 81%
EUROPE 15% 85% EUROPE 8% 92%
USA 21% 79% USA 7% 93%
CHINA 25% 75% CHINA 23% 77%
13FI N D I N G 7 — A I A N D H U M A N S Q U E S TI O N :
One third of Europeans would prefer to have an AI rather than a civil servant make a decision on their Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make data-driven deci-
sions with accuracy often surpassing humans. Would
social welfare payments or approving their visa. One quarter of Europeans also trust AI more than humans
you rather have a human or Artificial Intelligence make
when it comes to negotiating and granting mortgage loans. The strongest trust in AI is seen in Estonia, Italy a decision on:
and Spain: up to 41% of Spaniards and 37% of Italians and Estonians favor AI making a decision on their social
welfare payments and 45% of Estonians, 37% of Spaniards and 35% of Italians prefer trust AI when applying for a
visa for working in a foreign country.
A P P R OV I N G YO U R S O C I A L W E L FA R E PAY M E N T S A P P R OV I N G YO U R V I S A F O R WO R K I N G I N A F O R E I G N CO U N T RY
UK 22% 78% UK 24% 76%
NETHERL ANDS 22% 78% FR ANCE 27% 73%
FR ANCE 24% 76% GERMANY 29% 71%
AI
GERMANY 24% 76% NETHERL ANDS 29% 71%
POL AND 31% 69% SWEDEN 32% 68%
Human
SWEDEN 32% 68% POL AND 34% 66%
E S TO N I A 37% 63% I TA LY 35% 65%
I TA LY 37% 63% S PA I N 37% 63%
S PA I N 41% 59% E S TO N I A 45% 55%
EUROPE 30% 70% EUROPE 33% 66%
USA 30% 70% USA 35% 65%
CHINA 49% 51% CHINA 45% 55%
YO U R M E D I C A L D I AG N O S I S G R A N T I N G YO U R M O R TG AG E LOA N YO U R B A I L I N A CO U R T R U L I N G
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
UK 5% 95% FR ANCE 15% 85% 10% 90%
UK
FR ANCE 8% 92% UK 20% 80% 13% 87%
NETHERL ANDS
I TA LY 9% 91% I TA LY 22% 78% FR ANCE 16% 84%
GERMANY 12% 88% NETHERL ANDS 23% 77% S PA I N 19% 81%
NETHERL ANDS 12% 88% GERMANY 24% 76% I TA LY 20% 80%
S PA I N 12% 88% S PA I N 25% 75% GERMANY 23% 77%
E S TO N I A 14% 86% POL AND 28% 72% POL AND 23% 77%
SWEDEN 16% 84% SWEDEN 31% 69% E S TO N I A 26% 74%
POL AND 20% 80% E S TO N I A 35% 65% SWEDEN 27% 73%
EUROPE 12% 88% EUROPE 25% 75% EUROPE 20% 80%
USA 17% 83% USA 27% 73% USA 17% 83%
CHINA 31% 69% CHINA 49% 51% CHINA 27% 73%
14FI N D I N G 8 — FACI A L RECO G N ITI O N Q U E S TI O N :
A majority of Europeans (42%) support the use of facial technology for verifying the identity of citizens if The use of facial recognition technology for verifying
the identity of a person is increasing around the world.
it makes their lives more convenient. We see increased support in countries such as Italy (56%), Sweden (47%) or
Would you support or oppose the use of facial recog-
The Netherlands (45%), however these numbers are far from China, where the use of facial recognition is massively nition in your daily life if that meant not needing to
accepted (71%). In terms of gender, men (48%) are notably more willing than women (36%) to accept the use of the carry access cards anymore (e.g., key cards, public
transportation passes or gym cards)?
technology in their daily lives, while the younger generations are more privacy-minded than the older ones.
A majority of those under 45 years old oppose the measure, while those above 65 years old approve it.
41% 42 %
I would support it because would be
I would oppose it I would support it I TA LY 56% 16% 28% convenient.
because I don’t because would be
trust it or have convenient. I would oppose it because I don’t trust it or
SWEDEN 47% 18% 35% have privacy concerns.
privacy concerns.
NETHERL ANDS 45% 14% 41% I don’t know.
S PA I N 42% 14% 44%
UK 40% 23% 37%
EU RO PE A N E S TO N I A 40% 18% 42%
AV E R AG E
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
POL AND 37% 16% 47%
GERMANY 35% 15% 50%
FR ANCE 35% 21% 44%
USA 32% 28% 40%
17%
CHINA 71% 26%
I don’t know.
3%
15FI N D I N G 9 A N D 1 0 — D I G ITA L A D D I C TI O N QUESTION:
An overwhelming majority of Europeans (86%) believe that digital addiction is a problem, however #9: Some people argue that smartphone addiction is
increasing. Do you feel that “digital addiction” is a
only 39% of them believe their smartphone hinders their productivity at work. There is an important
problem?
generational gap, as a majority of the younger respondents (62% of the 18-24 years old group and 53% of
the 25-34 group) do believe their phones hinder their productivity, while more than 3/4 of those above 65 years #10: Do you think your smartphone hinders your
productivity at work?
old disagree with the statement.
Some people argue that smartphone addiction is increasing. Do you think your smartphone hinders your productivity at work?
Do you feel that “digital addiction” is a problem?
Strongly agree.
12% 38% 34% 11%
Somewhat agree.
Somewhat disagree. Strongly agree. Somewhat disagree. Strongly agree.
Somewhat disagree.
3%
Strongly Strongly disagree.
disagree.
Do you think your smartphone hinders
your productivity at work?
EU RO PE A N EU RO PE A N
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
AV E R AG E AV E R AG E
1 8 –24 23% 39% 25% 13%
2 5 –3 4 14% 39% 34% 13%
35–44 12% 35% 34% 19%
45–54 7% 23% 37% 33%
55–64 8% 20% 31% 41%
27% 28%
>64 5% 18% 37% 40%
Strongly disagree. Somewhat agree.
48%
Somewhat agree. 164
THE REGULATION
OF BIG TECH
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
17FI N D I N G 11 — TECH TA X Q U E S TI O N :
As international talks on global corporate tax unfold, Europeans massively support the adoption Some experts claim that Big Tech companies use
loopholes to avoid paying billions in taxes in European
of a tech tax (65% vs. 15%), with close to 70% of Germans, Italians, Spaniards and Dutch favoring of
countries. France has just adopted a “tech tax” on
such measure. Support for the tech tax grows with age: up to 78% of the oldest respondents (65+) approve technology companies who declare their profits abroad.
the measure, while only 52% of the youngest respondents (18-24) support it. Do you support such tax in your country?
Support for a tech tax
20% 65 %
NETHERL ANDS
I don’t know Yes Yes
>64
GERMANY
55–64
80
FRANCE
ITALY
SPAIN
No
78%
45–54
UK
74%
SWEDEN
70
POL AND
I don’t know
71%
70%
70%
35–44
69%
69%
68%
25–34
66%
ESTONIA
60
18–24
60%
60%
58%
57%
50
52%
50%
EU RO PE A N
AV E R AG E
40
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
30
20
15% 10
No
0
COUNTRIES AGE
18FI N D I N G 12 — REG U L ATI O N O F B I G TECH Q U E S TI O N :
The opinion of Europeans towards Big Tech companies deteriorated notably over the last year, when a wide In your view, what should European governments do
with the so called GAFA companies (Google, Apple,
majority of Europeans (46%) supported to help them grow as they create jobs and technologies. This year, most
Facebook and Amazon)?
Europeans (42%) think that governments should limit the size of the GAFA companies or even de-escalate
them. Last year, Germany was the only European country in favor of limiting their size; today most European
countries surveyed want governments to limit them. In terms of age groups, younger generations are the most
supportive of Big Tech, with around 40% of those respondents under 35 years old in favor of their growth.
24% 42%
I don’t know.
GERMANY
Limit their 32% 28% 41% 32% 52% 41%
ESTONIA
Limit their size and even deescalate them since
FRANCE
size and even they are bad for competitiveness and democracy.
deescalate 43% 53% 31% 40% 23% 31%
them since they Support their growth because they create jobs and
25% 19% 28% 28% 25% 28%
are bad for valuable technologies.
competitiveness
EU RO PE A N and democracy.
34 % AV E R AG E I don’t know.
POLAND
30% 25% 49% 25% 52% 31%
SPAIN
ITALY
Support their
growth because 48% 54% 32% 57% 27% 45% Compared with 2020
they create jobs
22% 21% 19% 18% 21% 24%
and valuable
technologies.
NETHERLANDS
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
SWEDEN
50% 47% 32% 40% 30%
AG E
UK
24% 28% 46% 30% 43%
1 8 –24 36% 23% 41%
26% 25% 22% 30% 27%
2 5 –3 4 34% 26% 40%
35–44 39% 24% 37%
45–54 40% 24% 36% 41% 24% 23% 12%
CHINA
USA
55–64 48% 28% 24% 25% 45% 66% 71%
>64 52% 22% 26% 34% 31% 11% 17%
19FI N D I N G 13 — B I G TECH M O N O P O LI E S Q U E S TI O N :
Europeans are overwhelmingly against Facebook becoming a private messaging behemoth. Facebook, who owns WhatsApp, Instagram and
Messenger, is planning to progressively integrate all
57% of respondents want governments to prevent Facebook’s merge of WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger,
four apps. Some experts argue this would lead to a
while only 17% think they should allow it. Americans hold similar views, as 58% are against the integration monopoly on messenger-services and present privacy
and only 12% support the apps merging. Strongest opposition is seen in the Netherlands (68%), Germany issues since personal data would become assimilated
across all four apps. Do you think governments should:
and UK (64%), Spain (62%) and France (61%).
26% 57 % NETHERL ANDS 68% 18% 14%
I don’t know. Prevent Facebook from Prevent Facebook from merging the apps.
merging the apps. UK 64% 23% 13%
Allow Facebook to merge the apps.
GERMANY 64% 23% 13%
I don’t know.
S PA I N 62% 29% 9%
FR ANCE 61% 11% 28%
SWEDEN 54% 25% 21%
EU RO PE A N
AV E R AG E
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
POL AND 52% 26% 22%
I TA LY 47% 27% 26%
E S TO N I A 41% 32% 27%
USA 58% 30% 12%
17%
Allow Facebook to merge the apps. CHINA 48% 15% 37%
20FI N D I N G 14 — ECO M M E RCE PL ATFO RM S Q U E S TI O N :
A majority of Europeans (50%) believe Amazon is harming small businesses and local shops: Do you think Amazon is helping or harming small
businesses and local shops?
all European countries surveyed hold this view, except Italy and Estonia. Up to 70% of Spaniards,
64% of Germans, and 57% of Dutch believe the tech giant is harming local businesses. Similarly,
47% of respondents from the USA feel the same way.
20% 50%
I don’t know. It’s harming It’s harming them because it discourages people
them because from buying locally.
S PA I N 70% 13% 17%
it discourages
people from It’s helping them because it allows them to sell
buying locally. through Amazon.
GERMANY 64% 13% 23%
30 % EU RO PE A N
It’s helping AV E R AG E I don’t know.
NETHERL ANDS 57% 19% 24%
them because
it allows them
to sell through
UK 50% 17% 33%
Amazon.
SWEDEN 48% 20% 32%
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
23% 47%
FR ANCE 44% 17% 39%
I don’t know. It’s harming
them because
it discourages POL AND 43% 25% 32%
people from
29% EUROPE AN
buying locally.
USA
AV E R AG E
It’s helping I TA LY 41% 9% 50%
them because
it allows them
to sell through E S TO N I A 32% 33% 35%
Amazon.
21FI N D I N G 1 5 — ECO M M E RCE PL ATFO RM S Q U E S TI O N :
Although a majority of Europeans believe Amazon is harming local businesses, up to 64% of British On average, are you more likely to buy the following
items on e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, or
respondents, 48% of Germans and 47% of Italians prefer to buy their books via their platform instead
in a physical store?
of going to a physical store. Likewise, 43% of Europeans buy their electronics online instead of going in person
to a shop, with up to 65% of Italians, 59% of Brits and 56% of Spaniards doing so. American respondents too
prefer to buy books and electronics on Amazon instead of physically (56%).
BOOKS ELECTRONICS
UK 64% 36% I TA LY 65% 35%
Amazon
GERMANY 48% 52% UK 59% 41%
Store
I TA LY 47% 53% S PA I N 56% 44%
FR ANCE 36% 64% GERMANY 50% 50%
S PA I N 35% 65% E S TO N I A 37% 63%
SWEDEN 33% 67% FR ANCE 36% 64%
NETHERL ANDS 30% 70% NETHERL ANDS 30% 70%
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
E S TO N I A 25% 75% SWEDEN 27% 73%
POL AND 17% 83% POL AND 26% 74%
EUROPE 37% 63% EUROPE 43% 57%
US 56% 44% US 56% 44%
22SURVEY ESTONIA
METHODOLOGY FRANCE
GERMANY
ITALY
European Tech Insights 2021 was fielded in January 2021.
The data was received in February and analyzed by the
NETHERLANDS
IE Center for the Governance of Change in February and POLAND
March 2021. We surveyed 2,769 adults from 11 countries
(Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, SPAIN
Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, China and the United
States). Samples were representative in terms of age and SWEDEN
UK
sex.
Respondents were part of recurrent panels recruited by
Netquest or affiliated companies into panels via social
CHINA
media, direct mailing or through referrals from other
respondents. They receive small in-kind incentives for
USA
responding to each survey.
202 1
INS I GHT S2021
2,769
TE CH INSIGHTS
RESPONDENTS
ROP E AN TECH
EUROPEAN
EU
23AUTHORS
Oscar Jonsson, Carlos Luca de Tena,
Academic Director Head of Operations
Oscar Jonsson is the Academic Director for the Center Carlos Luca de Tena is a public policy professional who
for the Governance of Change. He holds a PhD from has advised international organisations and top multi-
the Department of War Studies at King’s College national companies in public affairs, mostly in the field
London. He has been Director of the Stockholm Free of digital economy. He is the Head of Operations of
World Forum, a visiting researcher at UC Berkeley and the Center for the Governance of Change. Carlos has
a subject-matter expert at the Swedish Armed Forces worked as a Consultant at Llorente & Cuenca and
Headquarters. Oscar has advised governments, armed APCO Worldwide and was in charge of European Affairs
forces’ leadership and financial institutions on strategic at the French Association of Town Mayors.
affairs and geopolitical risk, and featured in inter-
national print and broadcast media. Carlos holds a master’s degree in European Affairs
from Sciences Po Paris and the University of Bath and
Oscar’s research focuses on the impact of emerging studied as an undergraduate at Sciences Po Paris,
2021
INSIGHTS 2021
technologies on modern statecraft and conflict, and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the London
TECH INSIGHTS
in particular Russian modern warfare. He is the author School of Economics.
of The Russian Understanding of War (Georgetown
University Press) which is on the Commander of US
EUROPEAN TECH
Special Forces’ reading list for 2020 and finalist for
EUROPEAN
the Association of American Publisher’s award for
scholarly and professional excellence in social sciences
2020.
24ABOUT
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 inter-
THE CGC
that studies the political, economic, and societal implications of ested in expanding their understanding of disruptive trends, and
the current technological revolution and advances solutions to a series of outreach activities aimed at improving the general
overcome its unwanted effects. public’s awareness and agency over the coming changes. All this
EUROPEAN TECH INSIGHTS 2021
for one purpose:
The CGC does so by producing pioneering, impact-oriented
research that cuts across disciplines and methodologies to unveil
TO HELP BUILD A MORE
the complexity of emerging technologies such as artificial intel-
ligence, big data, blockchain, and robotics, and explores their PROSPEROUS AND SUSTAINABLE
potential threats and contributions to society. SOCIETY FOR ALL.
25WWW.IE.EDU/CGC
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