EU tech sovereignty: internal divides
The EU’s tech sovereignty plans are moving forward, but foundational debates persist.
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Posts
A technorealistic approach to AI literacy in Estonian schools
As European governments discuss the ethical use of AI in education and plan budgets to facilitate AI literacy among students, the Estonian AI Leap approach stands out as highly pragmatic and thoughtful.
Why European businesses are not using AI tools
Eurostat's 2025 data show that a lack of technical expertise, data privacy concerns, and legal uncertainty remain the main barriers to the use of AI tools among European businesses, even as most companies recognize AI’s potential value.
The EU’s plan to tackle “cookie fatigue”
The EU wants to reduce “cookie fatigue” through browser-level consent rules that promise fewer banners and more transparency. Critics warn the proposal could create new gatekeepers, weaken personalised advertising, and increase costs for European businesses.
The EU’s age-verification dilemma: DSA and VPNs
While political agreement on online age verification has not been reached, the EU is now focusing on the technical implementation layer instead. This approach could backfire from both a technical standpoint and in terms of political optics.
Imperfect AI Omnibus arrives - all eyes turn to Digital Omnibus
The EU’s AI Omnibus is finally here, but some criticize it for a lack of ambition. While the EU must still formally approve the AI Omnibus, focus now shifts to the second leg of the EU’s digital simplification efforts: the Digital Omnibus package, which is crucial for AI development and data.
Europe’s tech referee grades its own homework
The European Commission just gave itself a positive review on the DMA, but Dirk Auer of the ICLE argues this self-grading ignores the DMA’s real costs: broken features, delayed AI, and a decline in European competitiveness. Is the "tech referee" grading its own homework too generously?
Consumer concerns over EU DMA proposals for Google
EU DMA proposals could force Google to share sensitive search data with third parties in ways that may weaken privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer choice. As debate grows, the real question is whether competition can be increased without putting European users at risk.
Can Europe keep its industrial champions in the AI era?
Siemens warned that EU regulations are driving industrial giants toward the US and China. As the "Trump Effect" lures factories away with tax cuts and deregulation, Europe faces a high-stakes choice regarding data rules and the chip dilemma of speed vs. sovereignty.
The EU's age verification app launched: technically ready, legally awkward?
The European Commission launched an age verification app this week. This is likely to serve as a start for a broader legislative initiative to legalise age-verification and subsequent restrictions on minors.
Empowering children online: the CoE is skeptical of blanket social media bans
As politicians rush to impose blanket social media bans on minors, recent Council of Europe recommendations urge a smarter approach. They stress that online safety measures must protect children without sacrificing their freedom of expression or cutting off essential digital access
The EU’s roadworthiness package risks reversing course on open data
While the EU works to simplify data rules and boost Europe’s data economy, the incoming Roadworthiness Package may restrict vehicle data sharing to public authorities only - potentially shutting out private European companies and weakening consumer choice.