Omnibus Dialogues #1 - Renaissance numérique

On Thursday, 2 April, Renaissance Numérique held the first day of its "Omnibus Dialogues" at the École normale supérieure – PSL. The Omnibus Dialogues are high-level discussion days dedicated to examining the societal, economic, and technological implications of Europe’s evolving digital regulatory framework. This two-part series aims to unpack the key issues raised by the European Commission’s "Digital Omnibus" proposal.

Gathered in Paris for this first day of the « Omnibus Dialogues », some twenty experts from a variety of backgrounds – including researchers, representatives from private companies, organisations, international institutions and NGOs – discussed the challenges of simplifying digital regulation at the European level, focusing on three main themes.

The first session, « Simplify — but for what purpose? », explored what regulatory simplification in the digital sphere truly means in the European context. Discussions focused on the potential benefits for businesses — such as reducing legal complexity and harmonising rules — as well as the risks this approach may pose for public institutions and Europe’s digital sovereignty.

The second session, « What impact on the European AI ecosystem? », examined how the upcoming reforms might reshape the balance between innovation, data regulation, and competitiveness. Participants discussed the implications of the Digital Omnibus and the Digital Fitness Check for data governance, privacy protection, and the application of key legislative instruments such as the GDPR, the AI Act, and the Data Act.

Finally, the third session, « Simplify — but for whom? », brought the focus back to citizens and their rights. Beyond the technical adjustments to the regulatory framework, the discussions questioned the future of fundamental freedoms and individual protections in a context driven by economic and geopolitical interests.