The digital transition will significantly affect the work, education and social life of all Europeans. Digitalisation impacts public service delivery and, through social media, even affects our democratic processes. This primer is meant to provide the reader with a grounded understanding of the technology and policy relevance of the developments that have been taking place and are expected to shape the debate in the coming years. It also aims to raise some thought-provoking ideas on what needs to be done to help European tech policy establish itself on firm foundations and foster a progressive vision of society.