Under the guiding theme "Critical, Digital, Resilient", the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the German Federal Pension Insurance (DRV), the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) and the European Representation of the German Social Insurance (DSV) hosted a conference on digitalisation in the public sector on 17 November. The event focused on facilitating dialogue between European and national policymakers, public administration, and social security institutions. One key message emerged clearly: progress can only be achieved through cooperation, courage, and clear European frameworks.

Aspiration meets reality – Digital administration in practice

In her opening statement, Lucilla Sioli (European Commission, AI Office) highlighted the tools the Commission is already providing to foster a trustworthy innovation ecosystem in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). In the subsequent panel discussion, State Secretary Dr Markus Richter (Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation), Dana-Carmen Bachmann (European Commission, DG EMPL), Axel Voss (European Parliament), Stefan Latuski (German Federal Employment Agency) and Dr Stephan Fasshauer (DGUV) explored how digital public administration can meet growing demands in Germany and Europe. Alongside demographic challenges for social security, the debate centred on efficiency gains through digitalisation and the targeted use of artificial intelligence.

Dr Markus Richter stressed that public administration must take an active role in shaping digital transformation and that cross-sectoral cooperation is essential to increase speed and impact while maintaining trust and public acceptance. Axel Voss underlined the necessity of close European coordination and bold partnerships to drive digital solutions forward. Dr Stephan Fasshauer emphasised that future-proof digital administration in Germany requires clear and reliable legal frameworks at both European and national level. At the same time, he and Stefan Latuski pointed out that social security institutions stand ready to assume responsibility and are already proactively advancing digitalisation within their organisations. Overall, the discussion made clear that modern public administration must be practical, interconnected at European level and collaboratively shaped in order to align ambitions with reality.

Smart but safe – Digital applications in social security

The second panel shed light on the high expectations placed on AI in social security. In her keynote, Monika Queisser (OECD) pointed to considerable public scepticism and the importance of trust. In the following discussion, Dr Martin Krasney (GKV-Spitzenverband), Nina Nissilä (Kela, Finland), Gundula Roßbach (DRV Bund), Axel Voss (European Parliament) and State Secretary Dr Michael Schäfer (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) explored the use of AI in social security.

They highlighted the significant potential for more efficient administration and improved medical care, while also addressing requirements relating to transparency, governance and cybersecurity. The need for targeted staff training and close European coordination was emphasised as essential for successful digitalisation. Dr Martin Krasney underlined the opportunities offered by data-driven applications, while Nina Nissilä illustrated the Finnish example, where AI already supports error detection and where clear rules are crucial. Gundula Roßbach placed particular focus on empowering employees – AI can provide relief, she stressed, but cannot replace human expertise.

Europe on the move – Digital cooperation across borders

The third panel highlighted the crucial role of digital cooperation for cross-border mobility and social security in Europe. In his keynote, Dr Francesco Corti (European Commission, Cabinet Mînzatu) emphasised that freedom of movement for workers is inconceivable without an effective system of social security. The planned Fair Mobility Package aims to use digitalisation and AI to facilitate labour mobility, strengthen social protection and curb fraud. In the subsequent panel discussion, he joined Cosmin Boiangiu (European Labour Authority), Valeria Bonavolontà (INPS, Italy), Morten Fønsskov Greising (STAR, Denmark) and Dr Matthias Flügge (DRV Bund) to discuss digitalisation in the context of cross-border employment. The discussion focused both on progress already achieved and on the next essential steps in shared data exchange, tackling irregularities and improving administrative procedures.

Dr Matthias Flügge highlighted the success of EESSI, which has accelerated data exchange between 3,400 institutions without any loss of quality – a key factor in maintaining the trust of insured persons. Dr Francesco Corti announced that the digital verification of the PD A1 via ESSPASS is planned for June next year, while Morten Fønsskov Greising advocated integrating additional proofs in the future, such as a new European labour card. Valeria Bonavolontà stressed that digitalisation can only reach its full potential if cross-border data exchange is significantly improved and, together with Cosmin Boiangiu, called for a clear, pan-European approach.

In conclusion, Dr Francesco Corti urged social security institutions to contribute their expertise even more actively at the European level in order to strengthen their voice. It is important for the European Commission to understand how EU initiatives affect social security institutions in practice and where adjustments may be beneficial to ensure feasible, practitioner-oriented implementation.

A shared responsibility for the future

In her closing remarks, Ilka Wölfle (DSV) emphasised that the discussions had shown not only that social security is an active driver of Europe’s competitiveness, but also that Europe itself is a driving force behind digitalisation within the social security system. The event made clear just how much potential lies within the social insurance – in its expertise, its innovative strength and its willingness to take responsibility for digital transformation. The task now, she said, is to harness this potential, to take action and to bring European initiatives consistently to life.

Ilka Wölfle also underlined how important it is not to confine these European developments to discussions in Brussels, but to integrate them actively into political dialogue at national level. She encouraged all participants to regularly draw policymakers’ attention to European issues, particularly as many of these initiatives will have to be implemented directly by social security institutions within a few years. Europe does not begin in Brussels, she noted, but wherever national actors engage early and assume responsibility.