14:30 – 14:45
PLENARY: From regulation to reality – Shaping Europe’s digital future in the new mandate
Europe is entering a critical phase in its digital transformation. With the new Commission mandate underway, this plenary session will focus on the 2030 Digital Decade targets while examining how policies can be translated into tangible outcomes. The discussion will explore the critical actions needed to achieve Europe’s digital goals, emphasising the importance of the EU’s digital competitiveness on the global stage and its role in the global digital economy. Join us to reflect on how Europe can contribute to a secure, sustainable, and inclusive digital future while navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Opening remarks:
Matthew Karnitschnig, Editor-in-Chief, Euractiv
14:45 – 15:45
PANEL: Levelling the playing field – The role of DMA in fostering innovation and growth in the Single Market
The European Commission plans to enhance support for tech entrepreneurship to foster innovation and growth in the Single Market, with a focus on SMEs and startups. This panel will explore the role of the DMA in ensuring a fair and competitive digital ecosystem while balancing global competitiveness with internal market regulations.
Panellists:
Damian Boeselager MEP, Vice-Chair ECON Committee, European Parliament
Sébastien Pant, Competition Policy Officer, BEUC
Alexandre de Streel, Academic Director, Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE)
Tim Price, CODE Representative
This panel is supported by CODE.
Moderated by Anupriya Datta.
15:45 – 16:45
PANEL: The EU’s giga-opportunity – Building trustworthy AI to scale
Positioning Europe as a global leader in the development and deployment of trustworthy AI is at the heart of the latest European Commission’s AI Continent Action plan. With its bold new initiatives like the AI Gigafactories, the Apply AI Strategy, the Resource for AI Science in Europe, the Cloud and AI Development Act, and others, how can the EU coordinate these instruments to foster an integrated approach to building Europe’s AI capacities? This session explores how this jigsaw of initiatives can be best tailored towards developing (and deploying) trustworthy AI and ensuring Europe’s seat at the table.
Panellists:
Aura Salla MEP, Member, ITRE Committee, European Parliament
Raquel Jorge, Associate Research Fellow at CEPS think tank, and Director for European Affairs and the Brussels Office at Adigital
Prof Aaron Maniam, Senior Fellow Advanced AI, and Fellow of Practice and Director, Centre for Future Generations; Digital Transformation Education, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
This panel is supported by the Centre for Future Generations.
Moderated by Jennifer Baker.
16:45 – 17:00
COFFEE BREAK
17:00 – 17:45
PANEL: Resilience in the digital age – Cybersecurity and countering disinformation
The rise of cyber threats and disinformation campaigns is challenging Europe’s ability to safeguard its digital and democratic spaces. As the EU strengthens its defences, key priorities include ensuring compliance with new regulations, fostering innovation, and enhancing cross-sector collaboration. This session will discuss the implementation of the Digital Services Act, the European Democracy Shield, and strategies to protect online safety, particularly for minors.
Panellists:
Helmut Brandstätter MEP, Member, EUDS Committee, European Parliament
Paolo Cesarini, Programme Director, European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO)
Keegan McBride, Senior Policy Advisor, Emerging Technology and Geopolitics, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Rayan Temara, Outreach and Policy Officer, Lie Detectors
Moderated by Jennifer Baker.
17:45 – 18:30
PANEL: Building the backbone of Europe’s digital economy – Connectivity, 5G, and quantum
The European Commission is advancing initiatives to strengthen Europe’s digital economy, from quantum technologies to 5G networks. While quantum technology promises breakthroughs, it also presents risks. This panel will discuss the EU’s strategy to meet 2030 connectivity targets, how to tackle challenges in 5G rollout and drive investment in emerging technologies and elevate Europe’s digital infrastructure and security on the global stage.
Panellists:
Franco Accordino, Head of Unit, Investment in High-Capacity Networks, DG CNECT, European Commission
Alexandra Geese MEP, Member, ITRE Committee, European Parliament
Matthias Bauer, Director, European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)
Moderated by Théophane Hartmann.