Programme

Thu. 5

June

2025

 

Welcoming words

ARNAUD-THYSEN-1
Arnaud Thysen
Director General, European Business Summits

Opening Interview: Is the EU Going to Reach its 2030 Targets?

Henna Virkkunen
Henna Virkkunen
EVP for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, European Commission
jack-parrock
Jack Parrock
EU Reporter

Fireside Chat:  How to Turn Digital Targets into Reality

Yohann Benard
Yohann Bénard
Public Policy Director Europe, Digital, Amazon
Jennifer Baker Recent Pic
Jennifer Baker
EU Reporter

Is the Capital Market Union the Key to Financing Europe’s Digital Future?

As Europe seeks to scale its tech sector and close the funding gap for digital innovation, its competition and financing rules are under growing scrutiny. The Capital Markets Union (CMU) has promised to knit national markets into a single financing ecosystem that can fund digital innovators of all sizes.  At the same time, the EU’s antitrust and state aid rules must strike a careful balance: supporting innovation and market access without distorting competition or discouraging investment.

With the EU’s Digital Decade targets for 2030 setting ambitious goals for connectivity, digital skills, and the digital transformation of businesses – ensuring the right enabling conditions is more important than ever. This session will confront the question: is the EU’s toolkit fit for purpose? How can state aid complement private funding and the CMU without breaching EU rules? Is the EU striking the right balance between fostering scale and safeguarding fairness?

Carlota Reyners-Fontana
Carlota Reyners Fontana
Director, DG COMP, European Commission
Mattias Levin
Mattias Levin
Acting Head of Unit, DG FISMA, European Commission
Alex Agius Saliba
Alex Agius Saliba
Member of the European Parliament
Jennifer Baker Recent Pic
Jennifer Baker
EU Reporter

The Future of AI – Key Factors for Responsible Innovation

Europe stands at a crossroads – striving to harness AI’s full potential while safeguarding the bloc’s fundamental, ethical and security principles. This panel will unpack the twin imperatives of rapid AI progress and robust safeguards, and how we should support AI growth in Europe without sacrificing competitiveness or enabling AI-enabled threats.

The discussion will examine the EU AI Act and related frameworks, asking how clear, risk-based rules, harmonised guidance, and front-line law-enforcement insights can close security gaps, ease compliance burdens, and spur responsible investments. The session will surface concrete recommendations to help Brussels turn its ethical frameworks into engines of innovation, not roadblocks to growth.

Kilian Gross
Kilian Gross
Head of Unit, DG CNECT, European Commission
Alexander Angebrandt
Alexander Angebrandt
Vice President, Processes, Digitalisation, Governance, BMW Group
Andrei Linta
Andrei Lințǎ
Deputy Executive Director, Capabilities Directorate, Europol
Michael McNamara
Michael McNamara
Member of the European Parliament
Jennifer Baker Recent Pic
Jennifer Baker
EU Reporter

Striking the Balance: Between Innovation and Regulation

The EU has long championed a human-centric digital economy — empowering citizens and businesses, regardless of their size – through landmark regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the 2024 Data Act. Yet, these very safeguards designed to protect citizens often sit uneasily with the demands of today's data-intensive business models.

This panel will unpack how Europe can uphold its global leadership in digital rights without throttling growth. It will explore how firms – both large and small – are shouldering GDPR’s compliance costs and whether the EU’s regulatory and legal framework can keep pace with fast-evolving technologies like AI without hampering progress or reducing investment. At the heart of the conversation lies a critical question: how can Europe turn regulation into a competitive advantage by building lasting public trust in the digital ecosystem?

Ana Gallego
Ana Gallego
Director General DG JUST, European Commission
Axel Voss
Axel Voss
Member of the European Parliament
Des Hogan
Des Hogan
Commissioner for Data Protection and Chairperson, Irish Data Protection Commission
Mathias Cellarius
Mathias Cellarius
Head of Data Protection and Privacy, SAP
Marco Pancini
Marco Pancini
Head of EU Affairs, META
Kim-Mackrael
Kim Mackrael
EU Reporter, Wall Street Journal

Google's Commitment to Europe: Powering Europe's Competitiveness and Security with AI

Karan Bhatia
Karan Bhatia
Global Head, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google

Enhancing European Competitiveness Through Open and Secure Digital Ecosystems

As Europe positions itself as a global tech leader, attention is turning on how the bloc can strike the right balance between innovation, consumer protection, and open ecosystems. This panel will explore how keeping the consumer central can unlock innovation, drive growth, and build an open and interoperable digital ecosystem – without compromising on safety. From empowering users to make informed decisions to ensuring security across platforms, the conversation will focus on practical steps for industry and regulators alike.
With major legislation like the Digital Markets Act entering its implementation phase, discussions will also explore how openness and security can coexist through thoughtful regulation and best practices and can be hardwired into the next phase of EU tech policy – making digital innovation work better for consumers and the wider economy.

Natacha Gerlach
Natascha Gerlach
Director for Privacy and Data Policy, Center for Information Policy Leadership
Tasos Stampelos
Tasos Stampelos
Head of EU Policy, Mozilla
Els Bruggeman
Els Bruggeman
Head Policy and Enforcement, Euroconsumers
Bartlomiej Telejko
Bartlomiej Telejko
Head - EU Data Governance, Competition, Cybersecurity Policy Team, Google
Jennifer Baker Recent Pic
Jennifer Baker
EU Reporter

12:30

High Level Lunch (members only)

Dragos Tudorache
Dragoș Tudorache
Member of Cabinet EVP Séjourne

12:30

Networking Lunch

In the Digital Battleground, What is the EU’s Role in the Tech War?

Long before the new U.S. Administration came into office, the tech war between the United States and China has begun to reshape global dynamics. From semiconductors to AI, there are few digital technologies that have been spared from the fight as the giants are redrawing the world along digital battle lines. For the U.S., this is a question of national security. For China, it has continued to push the Chinese Digital Skill Road and the Made in China 2025 initiative. Now, the European Union finds itself caught between strategic autonomy and economic dependence.

This panel explores the EU's ambiguous role in the global Tech War. Is it a passive bystander, a balancing force, or an emerging player in its own right? What does the EU stand to gain or lose from the deepening rift between Washington and Beijing? As the digital future is carved out by clashing titans, the EU must define not only its strategy—but its identity.

Damian Boeselager
Damian Boeselager
Member of the European Parliament
Sharinee Jagtiani
Sharinee Jagtiani
Senior Officer, GMF Technology
Rebecca Arcesati
Rebecca Arcesati
Lead Analyst, Merics
Zach Meyers
Zach Meyers
Moderator, Director of Research, CERRE

Cybersecurity in the EU: Safeguarding Europe's Digital Infrastructure

As Europe increasingly integrates digital technologies into every sector, the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding its infrastructure cannot be overstated. This panel will address the growing challenges of securing Europe’s digital landscape, from critical infrastructure to public services, against cyber threats.

Key discussions will focus on the evolving nature of cyberattacks, the importance of data protection, and the policies needed to strengthen Europe’s cybersecurity defences. The session will explore how collaboration between the EU, national governments, and the private sector can create a unified and resilient cybersecurity strategy. By tackling these issues, Europe can enhance its digital resilience and continue to grow as a leader in the global digital economy.

veronica gaffey
Veronica Gaffey
Director General DG DIGIT, European Commission
Luca Tagliaretti
Luca Tagliaretti
Executive Director, European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and Network
despina spanou
Despina Spanou
Principal Adviser for Cybersecurity, DG CNECT, European Commission
Juhan Lepassaar
Juhan Lepassaar
Executive Director, European Union Agency for Cybersecurity
Casper Klynge
Casper Klynge
Vice President and Head of Government Affairs EMEA, Zscaler
Jennifer Baker Recent Pic
Jennifer Baker
EU Reporter

15:30

Coffee Break

Can Europe Boost Competitiveness in a Rapidly Changing Global Digital Economy?

As the global digital economy accelerates, Europe faces unique challenges: it must harness digital innovation to remain competitive while shaping a regulatory environment that reflects its values and global ambitions. This session will explore how Europe can leverage cutting-edge technologies and take the lead in setting international digital standards, foster cross-border collaboration, and build a sustainable, resilient digital economy.

Discussions will examine the interplay between trade, regulation, and innovation – discussing what digital tools and strategies can help secure Europe’s strategic interests on the global stage. The conversation will also focus on boosting competitiveness through fostering digital skills, aligning digital standards, supporting startups and SMEs, expanding access to capital, and ensuring fair competition with global players. Together, these insights will help define Europe’s path to global digital leadership.

Renate Nikolay
Renate Nikolay
Deputy Director General DG CNECT, European Commission
Victor Negrescu
Victor Negrescu
Member of the European Parliament
Sergey_Lagodinsky
Sergey Lagodinsky
Member of the European Parliament
Nanna-Louise Linde
Nanna-Louise Linde
Vice President European Government Affairs, Microsoft
Aaron kleiner
Aaron Kleiner
Head of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Atlassian
Dean Grandy
Dean Grandy
Global Digital Government Leader, KPMG
jack-parrock
Jack Parrock
EU Reporter

17:15

Closing Remarks

17:25

Cocktail Reception