Session 1a: Europe's digital sovereignty: lessons from China's AI quest

2026-07-03 · Source: Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank · Field: Government & Public Sector — Public Policy & Governance, Regulatory & Compliance, International Relations & Diplomacy · Depth: Expert, medium

Summary

The 2026 Bruegel Annual Meetings outline a comprehensive agenda addressing critical European and global challenges across multiple public and closed-door sessions. Key discussions include Europe's digital sovereignty, drawing lessons from China's AI quest, and the sustainability of climate policy. Other significant topics cover mapping Europe's clean energy and industrial transformation, competitiveness and tax strategies, and bridging the gap between EU privacy rules and economic realities. The program also features sessions on the macroeconomic implications of the Middle East conflict, maximizing Europe's rearmament spending, and balancing AI regulation with innovation incentives. Further discussions will explore reimagining enlargement policy, future-proofing European banking, and navigating European trade policy beyond US and China relations. Distinguished speakers from Bruegel, the European Commission, national banks, and international organizations like the IEA, OECD, and Google DeepMind are slated to participate.

Key takeaway

For policy makers and executives tracking European economic and geopolitical strategy, the 2026 Bruegel Annual Meetings agenda offers a crucial overview of upcoming high-level discussions. You should review the session topics and speaker affiliations to identify key areas of focus for European policy in digital sovereignty, climate, energy, AI regulation, and trade. Consider attending or following these discussions to anticipate policy shifts and strategic priorities impacting your sector.

Topics

• Digital Sovereignty
• AI Regulation
• European Climate Policy
• Geopolitical Economy
• EU Economic Policy
• European Banking

Best for: Policy Maker, Executive, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank.