The feasibility of European digital sovereignty in an age of AI

Amidst growing geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by the EU’s strategic technological dependencies on foreign actors, calls for digital sovereignty are growing louder. A year after the influential Draghi report, several high-profile initiatives aimed at stimulating the EU’s digital sovereignty ambitions were brought forward by civil society organizations, academics, industry professionals and policymakers. But how feasible are they? The ideas of strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the digital sector inevitably shape law and policy, but market realities, procurement practices and legal frameworks also determine the long-term viability of these proposals. This workshop brings together legal scholars, social scientists, and humanities researchers to assess the legal, economic, and technical feasibility of European digital sovereignty in the age of AI.

Program and speakers

• 15:00 Welcome and introductions (dr. Viktorija Morozovaite and dr. Fabian Ferrari)
• 15:15 Session 1: “The bold vision of EU digital sovereignty through economic and political lens”, moderated by dr. Viktorija Morozovaite
• 15:20 Talk by dr. Cecilia Rikap (UCL)
• 15:35 Talk by Jasper Kars (UU)
• 15:50 Structured debate and Q&A
• 16:15 Coffee break
• 16:30 Session 2: “Technical and legal pathways toward EU digital sovereignty” moderated by dr. Fabian Ferrari
• 16:35 Talk by dr. Seda Gürses (TU Delft)
• 16:50 Talk by dr. Viktorija Morozovaite (UU)
• 17:05 Structured debate and Q&A
• 17:25 Wrap up and next steps (dr. Viktorija Morozovaite and dr. Fabian Ferrari)