From 4 September to 7 November 2008 the European Commission conducted an online public consultation on "Shaping the ICT research and innovation agenda for the next decade". The final report of this consultation has now been published.

The results show that energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and health & social care systems were the most important societal challenges. The main business applications driving ICT development are believed to be web-based services, while the strength of European technology is seen in embedded systems, the one of European industry in telecom equipment and services. Major weaknesses are seen in computing hardware, software products and consumer electronics. The consultation also confirms the lack of entrepreneurship and risk-taking in Europe.

The report can be downloaded here.