Designing Europe’s Future: AI as a Force of Good

Europe stands at a crossroad. For too long, our debates around artificial intelligence have been dominated by fear and regulation. It is time we shift our focus from what we want to restrict to what we want to achieve. AI is not just a technological tool; it is a transformative force that can make our societies more prosperous, sustainable, and free – if we dare to embrace it.

Across the world, innovation is moving fast. Europe cannot afford to stand still while others race ahead. We have the talent, the creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit to lead in AI, but we also need the right political and economic framework. That means cutting red tape, establishing a genuine single market for digital innovation, improving access to capital, and attracting the brightest minds to stay and build here in Europe.

A liberal vision for AI must be based on trust in people and in innovation, not in bureaucracy. We should empower our innovators instead of overburdening them with complex compliance. The European Union’s recent shift towards promoting AI development is a welcome change, but words must now be followed by action.

The future of AI in Europe will not be written in regulation, but in imagination, entrepreneurship, and courage. Let us make Europe a place that does more than simply regulate technology, but one that uses technology to shape and lead the way. This Study by the European Liberal Forum contributes to this liberal vision by offering concrete policy recommendations that champion innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and promote a human- centric approach to AI development across Europe.