Legislative elections 2024: Equipe de France du Numérique takes action!

At a time when we are being called to the polls, and in line with the messages we collectively conveyed during the European elections, we, the associations and professional organizations of the digital sector in France, take the floor to reaffirm the values essential to the success of the digital transformation of our territories. Our companies provide some of the answers to the major social, societal, environmental and economic challenges that affect our fellow citizens on a daily basis.

Digital technology is first and foremost a formidable social elevator

Our 30,000 companies train on a massive scale through work-study programs or retraining, and create skilled, long-term jobs. In recent years, our sector has created several hundred thousand jobs. These are concrete opportunities for our young people, wherever they live and whatever their background, to be trained to use and develop the technologies that are shaping our common future, such as generative artificial intelligence. This revolution requires the construction of digital infrastructures in our territories (data centers, mobile and fixed networks, etc.) and the manpower to develop them, with a wide variety of skills at all ages, regardless of gender or origin. Faced with the current shortage of talent, it would be illusory in the short and medium term to respond solely through initial and continuing training. Our country must therefore remain open to international talent.

Digital technology also provides solutions to societal issues

Firstly, in terms of security, with fears of manipulation surrounding these legislative elections. In this historic period, attacks could also be directed against institutions or essential public services, such as hospitals. Protecting, responding to and securing our networks is at the heart of the work of cybersecurity companies. Because a hospital that suffers a cyber attack means compromised operations, endangered patient follow-up and a weakened healthcare system. The same applies to strengthening our strategic autonomy and preserving our strategic technological assets.

Finally, digital technology is part of the answer to the climate emergency.

The impacts of the latter are already very significant: repeated flooding, erosion of cliffs in coastal areas, and water shortages leading to lower agricultural yields. The products and services developed by our sector’s companies, for example in support of the decarbonization of mobility and logistics, are key to making a success of the digital and environmental transitions, and thus achieving carbon neutrality. To achieve this, all decarbonized energies, both nuclear and renewable, will be needed. France is also a pioneer in controlling the environmental footprint of digital technology, and this lead – if it continues to be sustained – is a real asset that could inspire other European countries.

None of this would be possible without an economic climate conducive to innovation in France and, by extension, in Europe.

This is a key factor in sustaining the competitiveness of our companies, and hence the growth that benefits employees and enhances the economic vitality of our regions. Thanks to several plans and initiatives, France has been investing for a long time, and now attracts capital like nowhere else in Europe. This focus on digital professions needs to accelerate even further. This requires a dynamic and open France, a driving force within a strong Europe. A stable legal and fiscal framework, with ambitious common rules that are effectively understood and applied in the same way throughout the continent, will be essential success factors for this project, from which we will all benefit.

Start-ups, SMEs, ETIs, major groups, investors, industrialists, network infrastructure manufacturers, cloud providers, e-commerce companies, data center operators, research organizations, training establishments… together with the 30,000 organizations and 670,000 employees we represent, and who contribute 5 points to French GDP, we are therefore launching this solemn appeal. On June 30 and July 7, let’s vote for clear and ambitious programs that will enable us to accelerate the digital transformation of France and Europe.