Software: Strengthening the EU Economy
11th of October 2018 at 17:30 
BMW Brand Store
Brussels 

On October 11 in Brussels, BSA hosted an event to explore how the software industry contributes to economic growth, creates jobs, and drives innovation across the Europe.

In a keynote address, Eric Peters, a Senior Adviser to Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, explained that is clear for the European Union, software is an essential sector. Mr. Peters stressed that today software is everywhere and to continue the sector’s growth and further its impact, the EU is investing heavily in AI, digital skills, and cybersecurity.

Chris Hopfensperger, Executive Director of Software.org, presented the foundation’s latest study, “The Growing €1 Trillion Economic Impact of Software,” with data and analysis from The Economist Intelligence Unit. He then joined a panel to dive into the results and discuss the future impact of software in Europe with Carmina Coenen, Director of Solution Engineering at Salesforce, Samantha Grenville, Global Head of Corporate Public Policy Practice & Consulting Director, North America at the The Economist Intelligence Unit, and Georgios Petropoulos, Research Fellow at Bruegel. The panel discussed a range of issues impacting the software industry from the future of work and digital skills to AI and cybersecurity.

Speakers:

• Keynote Speaker: Eric Peters, Senior Adviser to Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
• Presentation of “The Growing €1 Trillion Economic Impact of Software”: Chris Hopfensperger, Executive Director, Software.org: The BSA Foundation
• Panel on “Software across sectors: The future impact of software in Europe”
• Carmina Coenen,
  Director Solution Engineering, Salesforce
• Samantha Grenville,
  Global Head, Corporate Public Policy Practice & Consulting Director, North America, The Economist Intelligence Unit
• Chris Hopfensperger,
  Executive Director, Software.org: The BSA Foundation
• Georgios Petropoulos,
  Research Fellow, Bruegel

More information: The Growing €1 Trillion Economic Impact of Software