The ODI recently launched its European Data and AI Policy Manifesto - a timely intervention as Europe stands at a crossroads on the road to shaping its digital future. To mark the occasion, we hosted a panel to discuss the key issues. From regulatory complexity to AI innovation, trust in technology and global cooperation, our panel tackled the big questions.
I was joined by an exceptional group of experts:
- Mike Pisa, who works on global economic policy issues at Google, focusing on the economic impact of digital technologies.
- Dr. Ann Kristin Glenster, Executive Director of the Glenlead Centre and Deputy Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge.
- Professor Elena Simperl, ODI’s Director of Research and Professor of Computer Science at King’s College London.
Together, we explored the principles that underpin the manifesto, the opportunities for Europe, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Why this manifesto matters
Europe faces a geopolitical rift on data and AI, not just with its traditional allies in the US and UK, but also with emerging global powers. Add to this the implementation backlash against the EU AI Act and growing concerns about digital sovereignty, and the need for a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking strategy becomes urgent. As the EU seeks to harness AI's potential to drive economic growth and address societal challenges, it must do so in a manner that protects citizens' rights, ensures fairness, and maintains public trust.
What's in the Manifesto?
The ODI’s EU Data and AI Manifesto urges all those in the European data ecosystem to use the Union's collective strength to build data-centric and people-centric models of AI development. Our manifesto aims to balance innovation with responsibility, economic growth with societal well-being, and technological advancement with unwavering respect for human rights and European values.
It is aligned with our six guiding principles. These are the factors we believe are essential for creating an open and trustworthy data ecosystem, and which we outlined in our Five Year Strategy:
Principle 1: Strong data infrastructure - a strong data infrastructure is the foundation for building an open, trustworthy data ecosystem on a global scale, and that this can help address the world’s most pressing challenges
Principle 2: Open data as a foundation - The best possible foundation is open data, supported and sustained as data infrastructure. Only with this foundation will people, businesses and governments be able to realise the potential of data infrastructure across society and the economy.
Principle 3: Trust - For data to work for everyone, there needs to be trust – trust in data, and trust in those who access and share it.
Principle 4: Trusted, independent organisations - There is a greater need than ever for trusted, independent organisations to help people across all sectors, economies and societies to benefit from better data infrastructure.
Principle 5: A diverse, equitable and inclusive data ecosystem - For data to work for everyone, those collecting and using it need to be highly alert to inequalities, biases, and power asymmetries.
Principle 6: Data knowledge and skills - The world needs a new cohort of data leaders – individuals who have data knowledge and skills and are equipped to understand the value, limitations and opportunities offered by data, data practices and data sharing.
As I said during the event:
Europe has an opportunity to pioneer a people-centric model of digital governance - one that balances economic competitiveness with fundamental rights.
Can AI create a competitive advantage - for countries and regions?
Mike Pisa opened the discussion with a critical insight: AI’s benefits won’t materialise unless adoption is broad.
If AI adoption is limited to ICT or big tech companies, we’ll never unlock its economic potential. We need to support adoption across industries and firm sizes.
He also challenged a common misconception:
“Generative AI is not a leapfrog technology. You can’t skip building strong data infrastructure. In fact, AI makes good data governance even more important.”
However, he warned that Europe’s fragmented regulatory landscape is a barrier to progress:
“The degree to which EU firms struggle to operate across Member State jurisdictions is striking. Initiatives like the European common data spaces help, but absent of bigger reforms, they won’t be enough.”
Innovation vs. regulation - a zero-sum game?
Elena Simperl pushed back on the idea that regulation automatically stifles innovation:
California isn’t perceived as deregulated - far from it - yet it’s home to some of the world’s most innovative companies. So, it’s not regulation versus innovation. The question is: when to regulate, how, and what impact that will have.
She noted the need for iterative policymaking in such a fast-moving field:
“Europe has put ambitious frameworks in place, but in this rapidly evolving space, assessing impact and adapting is key.”
Finding the balance between sovereignty and openness
Dr. Ann Kristin Glenster brought the geopolitical lens:
We’re in a moment where tech sovereignty and security concerns are reshaping attitudes. But how do we maintain openness and interoperability while pursuing digital sovereignty?
Her answer?: “Interoperability and technical standards are absolutely key. They’re non-politicised and essential if we’re going to deliver a functioning single market.”
She also highlighted a broader shift:
“The regulatory simplification we need isn’t necessarily in tech-specific law - it’s in corporate, labour, and tax frameworks that affect competitiveness.”
The data adequacy question
With the UK-EU data adequacy decision looming at the end of 2025, the stakes, and potential challenges, are high. Under GDPR, personal data can only flow freely from the EU to countries that the EU deems to have an “essentially equivalent” level of protection. In 2021, the UK was granted adequacy, but this status is up for review in December 2025. Ann Kristin warned:
“Losing adequacy would have a massive impact because the EU is such a major partner, and the definition of personal data is extremely broad. It won’t be catastrophic [if the UK is is judged not to hold adequacy with the EU], but it will mean expensive compliance regimes, especially for small businesses.”
While losing adequacy would be complex and costly for all businesses, it would be particularly challenging for SMEs and charities. Losing adequacy would present a barrier to growth and cross-border data flows for all UK based organisations.
Trust, Privacy, and PETs
Finally, we explored how to build trust in data sharing through privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs).
Ann Kristin reminded us:
We already have incentives for privacy by design in the GDPR. Enforcement is the challenge.
Elena expanded on the complexity of PETs:
They’re not one thing. They range from passwords to cryptographic systems and federated learning. The real challenge is trust, literacy, and interoperability. Making the tech open source helps, but trust in the ecosystem matters just as much.
What next?
As the session closed, I was struck by one common theme: we can’t treat regulation, infrastructure, and innovation as separate conversations. They’re deeply intertwined. Robust regulation without the right infrastructure would create friction. Innovation without proper governance erodes trust. Infrastructure without inclusivity and diversity risks entrenching disadvantage. The message from our panel was clear - Europe’s digital future requires alignment across policy, technology, and people. It also requires harmonisation of regulation across member states, fostering a culture of trust and literacy around data and AI, and investing in open and interoperable systems.
The ODI’s European Data and AI Manifesto is our attempt to bridge these debates and provide a roadmap for a data-enabled future that works for everyone. Now is the time for governments, businesses and civil society to work together to make that vision a reality.
You can read the full ODI European Data and AI Policy Manifesto and watch the full webinar below.
You can read the full ODI UK Data and AI Policy Manifesto and read about its launch.
