Europe may be falling behind players like China and the United States in the world of science and tech.
In advance of Ireland's upcoming European Presidency, The Pat Kenny Show spoke to Luke O'Neill about how Europe compares with the rest of the world in science and technology.
Professor Luke O’Neill told The Pat Kenny Show that Europe “had to get its act together” in terms of science and technological innovation.
Speaking on Newstalk, Mr O’Neill said that Europe is falling behind players like China and the United States in the world of science and tech.
“Even though the US is in turmoil, there's still fantastic tech and science happening in the US, especially in AI.
“The big, heavy hitters there in AI are all American companies. Donald Trump is threatening to bar access to Anthropic for Europe.
“If they own all the technology that we need and we can't get access to it, Europe had better catch up quickly.
He explained that Europe had become a magnet for attracting American talent.
“There's been almost a doubling of applications from the US to come to Europe, to work in labs and join universities”, he told Newstalk.
The Choose Europe campaign hopes to convince people from the United States and beyond to come to Europe.
The European Research Council (the ERC), put up a special fund with an extra 400 million to help people choose Europe.
For example, a chair in a particular university in the United States will be sponsored by a company that has decided to help out a local university.
Donald Trump shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.Those companies would want to see Europe invest in science because discoveries could end up in those companies. Secondly, in order to employ staff, people need to be trained at the highest level.
The system will train young people to work in these industries.
“In other words, Europe would be the place [for you] to come to do your research. There's all kinds of reasons. It could be social", Mr O'Neill said.
"It could be the political environment. Work-life balance is better here.”
"Europe makes great discoveries, great scientific breakthroughs, but don't translate them effectively into products and services.
"That's where the gap has been. So, can the ERC and the European Union help speed that up is the idea. "
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