WHAT IS REMIT ABOUT?

Multilateralism and transnational democracy are under threat on many fronts, most recently from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the unknown powers of AI. The very nature of global problem solving is being called into question and existing international governance structures are struggling to address the unique challenges posed by AI. REMIT aims to re-mobilize a transnational collective spirit that addresses global challenges through technology.

Firstly, because of technology’s effect on economic competitiveness.
Secondly, tech is important to national security including threats to democratic principles.
Thirdly, technology is crucial to the solutions for global challenges.

The REMIT project will create knowledge that generates policy recommendations that support the EU in re-conceptualizing multilateral governance in four crucial policy areas: digital, health bio, security and defence, and financial technologies. The lack of comprehensive, multilateral tech regulation represents material national security threats to the EU and its allies by allowing others (especially China) to set the rules for the digital future. Moreover, the four technology areas are instrumental in finding solutions to all important current global challenges, including climate, the rise of inequalities, ageing and disabilities, migrations, health pandemics, and the spread of disinformation or the manipulation of public opinion.

In innovative scenario testing workshops with EU officials, important regional groupings and national administrators, REMIT will design policy recommendations that will give a remit to reignite multilateralism via technology. A reigniting that not only reacts to China’s rise as a systemic technology rival or Russia’s potential as a technology abuser or the dominance of large U.S.-based digital platforms, but that sets a clear vision for the future—one in which Europe plays a leading role with its most important partners.

WHY IS REMIT RELEVANT? 

The REMIT research group focuses on technology policy and has the potential to play a crucial role in promoting multilateralism and addressing global challenges related to technology. By conducting rigorous research, promoting evidence-based policymaking, fostering global cooperation, and raising awareness about the importance of multilateralism, the research group can help ensure that technology policies are aligned with the needs and values of people around the world.

REMIT’s focus on the current micro-developments in technology, which might lead to a very different world order than we are used to operating in today, guarantees a novelty and a freshness that meets the EU’s need to transform and defend multilateralism. The REMIT project’s first ambition and overarching objective is to help the EU reanimate through fostering new norms, rules, and governance within four pivotal areas of technology (digital technology, health biotechnology, security and defence technology, and financial technology).

The second ambition is to deliver innovative policy avenues that consider the ideational foundations for multilateral governance and the legal aspects of digital, health bio, security and defence, and financial technologies.

The third ambition is to understand the geopolitical contests and the emerging new global paradigms, to help the EU find multilateral policy avenues to protect its territory, its way of life, its economy and in particular the EU’s digital world. In fact, we are in a transition phase between paradigms, a phase marked by de-globalization, a retreat into nationalisms, the rising danger of large interstate wars and the intensifying risk of environmental disaster. 

REMIT’s fourth ambition focuses on the economic and social aspects of tech governance—on the deliberations, the global dynamics, and the current global collaboration on specific technologies. Along with this understanding comes REMIT’s fifth ambition—to reach the widest possible audience with its deliverables but most especially it expects to reach the intended stakeholders. 

Follow us for regular updates on social media by signing up for our biannual newsletters. 

Objective 1: To define the EU’s role in leading the renewal and defence of multilateralism starting with the global governance of technologies in four crucial policy areas (digital, health bio, security and defence, and financial technologies). 

Objective 2: To provide evidence-based advice to reinforce European institutions in the field of technology that work—that create transparent, ethical, and democracy-supporting standards—and propose innovative, multilateral-governance constructs for those that do not

Objective 3: To develop policy recommendations and offer scenario testing workshops to relevant EU administrators, important regional groups, and national officials.

Objective 4: To share knowledge among stakeholders and to communicate policy recommendations. REMIT will recommend policy action for the European Union that further re-conceptualizes multilateralism in the four technology areas. 

The REMIT project aims to have scientific, technological, economic, and societal impact. Our research will contribute to understanding policy making and addresses the theory–practice divide across major institutions and global challenges. REMIT’s impact is measured by the EU’s capacity to shape future multilateral standards and the public support for this future. Scientific advances by REMIT researchers create new knowledge across and within disciplines and thus directly support the EU in its goal to revitalise and re-conceptualise its leadership of multilateral institutions.