Belgium

Belgium’s digital governance is characterised by a decentralised structure, with responsibilities divided among federal, regional, and community governments. The Directorate-General for Simplification and Digitalisation (part of the Federal Public Service BOSA) plays a crucial role in coordinating digital initiatives across different government levels. Each region—Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital—has its own ministerial responsibilities for digital transformation, ensuring that local needs are addressed. The Data Protection Authority (DPA), established in 2018, oversees compliance with data protection laws.

Digital Economy and Innovation

Belgium’s digital governance framework supports the growth of a robust digital economy. The government has introduced several initiatives to foster innovation and support digital startups:

• Digital Innovation Hubs: These hubs provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities for tech startups and SMEs, helping them develop and scale their digital solutions.
• Tax Incentives and Grants: Belgium offers various financial incentives, such as R&D tax credits and innovation grants, to encourage investment in digital technologies and innovation.

Data Governance and Privacy

Belgium places a strong emphasis on data governance and privacy, adhering to stringent regulations to protect citizens’ data. Key aspects include:

• GDPR Compliance: As an EU member state, Belgium fully complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring robust data protection standards and rights for individuals.
• National Data Strategy: Belgium’s National Data Strategy outlines the framework for data governance, promoting data sharing and reuse while ensuring privacy and security. This strategy aims to leverage data as a key asset for economic growth and public service improvement.
• Open Data Initiatives: The government promotes open data initiatives, making public sector data accessible to citizens and businesses. This fosters transparency, innovation, and the development of data-driven solutions.

Digital Skills and Education

To support the digital transformation, Belgium places a strong emphasis on developing digital skills across the population. The government has launched various programs to enhance digital literacy and prepare the workforce for the demands of the digital economy:

• Digital Skills Fund: This fund supports projects that promote digital skills training and education, targeting both the general population and specific groups, such as students and job seekers.
• STEM Education: Belgium has integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education into its curriculum to equip students with essential skills for the digital age.

International Collaboration and Standards

Belgium actively participates in international digital governance initiatives and aligns its policies with European Union standards. The country collaborates with other EU member states on projects related to digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation:

• Digital Single Market: Belgium contributes to the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy, which aims to remove digital barriers and create a unified online market across Europe.
• Cross-border Digital Services: Belgium is involved in cross-border digital services projects, facilitating seamless digital interactions between citizens and businesses across EU countries.

Belgium has established itself as a progressive country in terms of digital governance, underpinned by comprehensive strategic frameworks and policy initiatives. Central to this effort is the Digital Belgium Plan, which outlines the country’s vision for digital transformation across various sectors.

Digital Belgium: Launched in 2015, this action plan outlines the country’s long-term digital vision, focusing on five pillars: digital economy, infrastructure, skills, trust, and public authorities. It aims to position Belgium among the top digital nations in Europe by enhancing e-government services and digital infrastructure.

Regional Strategies: Each region has tailored its digital strategies. For instance, Digital Wallonia (2019-2024) aims to leverage digital technologies for socio-economic opportunities, while Vlaanderen Radicaal Digitaal II focuses on comprehensive digital transformation initiatives in Flanders.

#SmartNation: This federal strategy, initiated in 2021, aligns with the European Digital Decade Policy and aims to enhance Belgium’s digital capabilities across various sectors.

E-Government Services: Belgium has made notable progress in e-government services, with usage rates surpassing the EU average. As of 2022, approximately 74% of citizens utilised e-government services, reflecting a growing acceptance of digital interactions with public authorities. The government is continuously working to streamline these services, making them more user-friendly and efficient.

The federal government, along with regional and local authorities, has implemented numerous e-government initiatives. Key examples include:

• MyBelgium Portal: This central online portal provides citizens with access to a wide range of government services, such as tax filings, social security information, and administrative procedures.
• e-ID: Belgium’s electronic identity card allows citizens to securely access online services and sign documents digitally.
• Digital Public Services Act: This legislation mandates the digitalisation of public services, ensuring that citizens and businesses can interact with government agencies online.

Belgium’s approach to cybersecurity is anchored in its National Cybersecurity Strategy, which outlines the country’s vision and actions to ensure a secure digital environment. The strategy focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, enhancing cyber resilience, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. The key pillars of the strategy include:

1. Governance and Coordination: Establishing a clear governance framework and coordinating efforts across different levels of government, private sector, and civil society.
2. Risk Management and Resilience: Implementing robust risk management practices to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber threats. Enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure and services to withstand cyber attacks.
3. Incident Response and Recovery: Developing effective mechanisms for incident detection, response, and recovery. This includes establishing a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and incident reporting frameworks.
4. Capacity Building and Awareness: Promoting cybersecurity awareness and education among citizens, businesses, and public institutions. Providing training and resources to build cybersecurity capacity.
5. International Cooperation: Engaging in international collaboration to address cross-border cyber threats and contribute to global cybersecurity efforts.

Key Institutions and Agencies

Several institutions and agencies play crucial roles in Belgium’s cybersecurity landscape:

• Centre for Cyber Security Belgium (CCB): The CCB is the central authority for cybersecurity in Belgium. It coordinates national cybersecurity efforts, develops policies and strategies, and serves as the national point of contact for international cooperation.
• Federal Cyber Emergency Team (CERT.be): Operated by the CCB, CERT.be is responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. It provides support to both public and private sectors in handling cyber threats.
• Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT): BIPT regulates the telecommunications sector and ensures the security and integrity of communication networks and services.
• National Crisis Centre: The National Crisis Centre coordinates responses to large-scale cyber incidents that have a significant impact on national security and public safety.

Cybersecurity Initiatives and Programs

Belgium has implemented various initiatives and programs to enhance cybersecurity across different sectors:

• Cybersecurity Act: The Cybersecurity Act provides the legal framework for the protection of network and information systems. It sets out requirements for operators of essential services and digital service providers to implement security measures and report incidents.
• Belgian Cybersecurity Coalition: This public-private partnership brings together stakeholders from government, academia, and industry to collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives. The coalition focuses on sharing best practices, conducting joint research, and raising awareness.
• Awareness Campaigns: The CCB and other organisations run regular cybersecurity awareness campaigns targeting various audiences, including citizens, businesses, and public institutions. These campaigns aim to educate people about common cyber threats and promote safe online behaviors.

International Collaboration

Belgium actively participates in international cybersecurity efforts, recognising the global nature of cyber threats:

• European Union: Belgium collaborates closely with EU institutions and member states on cybersecurity initiatives. This includes participating in the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and implementing EU directives and regulations.
• NATO: As a NATO member, Belgium contributes to the alliance’s cybersecurity capabilities. This includes participation in NATO cyber defense exercises and initiatives.
• Global Organisations: Belgium engages with global organisations, such as the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to shape international cybersecurity policies and standards.

Belgium’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) is structured around a national strategy aimed at fostering innovation, ensuring ethical standards, and promoting economic growth. The strategy emphasises a multidisciplinary approach, integrating efforts from various sectors to harness the potential of AI. Key components of Belgium’s AI strategy include:

1. Research and innovation: Supporting cutting-edge research and development (R&D) in AI technologies. This includes funding academic research, establishing innovation hubs, and encouraging collaborations between universities and industry.
2. Education and skills: Enhancing AI-related education and training programs to build a skilled workforce. This involves updating curricula, providing specialised training, and promoting lifelong learning in AI and data science.
3. Ethics and regulation: Developing frameworks to ensure that AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly. This includes adhering to European Union (EU) guidelines, promoting transparency, and safeguarding privacy and data protection.
4. Infrastructure and data: Investing in digital infrastructure and facilitating access to high-quality data. This includes developing cloud computing capabilities, improving data-sharing mechanisms, and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.
5. Public sector and society: Leveraging AI to improve public services and societal well-being. This includes implementing AI solutions in healthcare, transportation, and public administration, as well as promoting AI literacy among the general public.

Key Institutions and Initiatives

Several institutions and initiatives are central to the development and deployment of AI in Belgium:

• AI 4 Belgium: A key initiative, AI 4 Belgium is a community-driven organisation that brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government. It aims to create a vibrant AI ecosystem by promoting collaboration, sharing best practices, and driving innovation.
• Flemish AI Plan: Launched by the government of Flanders, this plan focuses on investing in AI research, supporting startups, and integrating AI into public services. The Flemish government has committed substantial funding to AI projects and initiatives.
• Wallonia AI Strategy: The Walloon region has its own AI strategy, which emphasises R&D, support for businesses, and the development of AI skills. The strategy also includes measures to ensure ethical AI development and deployment.
• Digital Wallonia: This initiative promotes digital transformation in Wallonia, with AI being a key focus area. It supports AI startups, fosters public-private partnerships, and encourages digital innovation.
• National Research Fund (FWO and FNRS): These organisations provide funding for AI research projects, supporting both fundamental and applied research across various disciplines.

AI Research and Innovation

Belgium is home to numerous research institutions and innovation hubs that drive AI advancements:

• imec: A leading R&D hub for nanoelectronics and digital technologies, imec conducts pioneering research in AI and collaborates with global tech companies to develop innovative AI solutions.
• KU Leuven: This prestigious university is a leader in AI research, with dedicated centers such as the KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence. It focuses on areas like machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing.
• Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain): UCLouvain is another key player in AI research, with strong expertise in AI ethics, data science, and computational intelligence.
• VUB AI Lab: The AI lab at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is known for its interdisciplinary research, covering topics such as autonomous systems, AI ethics, and human-computer interaction.