European Parliamentary Research Service

Written by Guillaune Ragonnaud (1st edition). Most goods require packaging at several stages of their product life. Today, the diversity of packaging items and materials is considerable. Between 2009 and 2020, the total mass of packaging waste generated in the EU rose by 20 %.

Written by Katarzyna Sochacka with Rebecca Fredrick. The highlight of the March II plenary session was the debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023.

While there is no globally agreed definition of artificial intelligence, scientists largely share the view that technically speaking there are two broad categories of AI technologies: ‘artificial narrow intelligence’ (ANI) and ‘artificial general intelligence’ (AGI). Written by Tambiama Madiega. General-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as ChatGPT, are quickly transforming the way AI systems are built and deployed.

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Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio. EU integration represents an inspiring example of conflict resolution. Some 30 years of violent sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland was brought to an end in 1998, with the signature of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. At the time, both the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland were Member States of the European Union, having both joined the European Communities on 1 January 1973.

Written by Luisa Antunes. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global, multidimensional phenomenon occurring in humans, animals, and environmental ecosystems. It is the ability of microbes, e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, to survive in the presence of medicines designed to kill or inactivate them (antimicrobials: antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiprotozoals).

According to a 2021 recommendation by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), international cooperation in science and technology qualifies as bilateral and multilateral cooperation to advance knowledge through basic and applied research, with the involvement of a wide range of research and innovation (R&I) players as well as governments. © Visual Generation / Adobe Stock Written by Clément Evroux.

This week, Members hold their second March plenary session, this time in Brussels. Written by Aidan Christie with Rebecca Fredrick. This week, Members hold their second March plenary session, this time in Brussels. The agenda is full, with debates scheduled on the rule of law in EU countries and on two environmental files – but the planned vote on measures to help ensure equal pay for equal work is likely to attract the most attention.

On 2 March 2023 the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) brought together experts on cybersecurity and data protection during a workshop entitled ‘Pegasus affair: the end of privacy and cybersecurity?’. © Romain TALON / Adobe Stock Written by Andrés García with Clemens Weichert. Investigative journalists recently brought to light extensive spying operations in Europe, using the powerful Pegasus spyware.

The European Council meeting, which lasted just one day, started with the customary address from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Written by Annastiina Papunen and Rebecca Torpey. Discussions at the European Council meeting of 23 March concentrated on Europe’s long-term strategy for economic competitiveness, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and energy.