Detlef Eckert is a consultant and economist who has spent most of his career with the European Commission. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Siegen, Germany, and has played a prominent role in digital policymaking within the Commission. During his tenure, he was pivotal in developing strategies and drafting legislation. He served as a Director in various capacities at the European Commission, encompassing research policy, cyber-security, media, and internet governance. Furthermore, Detlef Eckert held a directorial position in employment and skills policy, with a specific focus on the European macroeconomic reform agenda.

His experience also includes valuable insights gained from the private sector, providing him with a perspective on markets and technology that is uncommon among civil servants. After retiring from the Commission in 2017, Detlef Eckert joined Huawei Technologies in Shenzhen, China, where he worked until February 2020. He engaged with governments worldwide on digital issues, particularly those linked to cloud computing, 5G, and artificial intelligence. From 2002 to 2006, while on personal leave from the Commission, he joined Microsoft as Director of Trustworthy Computing, responsible for implementing their Trustworthy Computing Initiative across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Chapter 1. The Beginning.- Chapter 2. The Information Society.- Chapter 3. Preparing for the Internet Economy.- Chapter 4. The Lisbon Agenda.- Chapter 5. Reform of the Reform Agenda.- Chapter 6. A Digital Agenda.- Chapter 7. A Digital Single Market.- Chapter 8. The age of artificial intelligence.- Chapter 9. Seeking Digital Sovereignty.- Chapter 10. Gigabit Connectivity.- Chapter 11. Epilogue: Aspirations and Reality.