Conclusions – 19 October 2017  combating terrorism and online crime: efforts to this effect should be intensified as set out by the European Council in its June 2017 conclusions. The European Council welcomes the Commission's communication on Tackling Illegal Content Online and reiterates its readiness to support appropriate measures at EU level, if necessary;  labour markets, training and education systems fit for the digital age: there is a need to invest in digital skills, to empower and enable all Europeans;  a determined R&D and investment effort: to support new forms of entrepreneurship, and stimulate and assist the digital transformation of industries and services. EU instruments such as the EU Framework Programmes, including Horizon 2020, the European Structural and Investment Funds and the European Fund for Strategic Investments can help achieve this objective. The EU should also explore ways to set up the appropriate structures and funding to support breakthrough innovation;  a sense of urgency to address emerging trends: this includes issues such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies, while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection, digital rights and ethical standards. The European Council invites the Commission to put forward a European approach to artificial intelligence by early 2018 and calls on the Commission to put forward the necessary initiatives for strengthening the framework conditions with a view to enable the EU to explore new markets through risk-based radical innovations and to reaffirm the leading role of its industry; EUCO 14/17 7 EN