Europe shifts focus from frontier AI to applied solutions
European leaders and tech executives are pivoting away from competing with US and Chinese frontier AI models, citing Europe’s lack of competitive models and compute capacity. The bloc now prioritises applied AI adoption to enhance productivity and reduce dependency on foreign providers, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and industry figures advocating for practical deployment in sectors like health and transport. The shift follows concerns over Europe’s low AI adoption rates, with only 20% of businesses using AI in 2025, according to Eurostat. (POLITICO)
Europe's mobile operators plan satellite-to-phone service to rival Starlink
TelecomNews
Europe's largest mobile operators are collaborating on a direct-to-smartphone satellite service under European governance to reduce reliance on Elon Musk's Starlink. The initiative aims to provide connectivity without US-based infrastructure, addressing EU concerns over digital sovereignty. (TVP WORLD)
Europe's biggest mobile
Palantir says NATO AI system lacks off switch after Ukraine disruptions
Military and securityNews
Palantir Technologies states its AI system deployed for NATO lacks a ‘kill switch’ to disable it, following disruptions to Ukraine’s Starshield access. The claim highlights European concerns over dependence on US technology in military operations. Euronews reports. (EURONEWS)
Palantir says NATO AI system has no ‘kill switch’ after Starlink
We are missing a messenger
Deep DivesTools and techTelecomEUDeep Dives
Europeans run their families, their jobs, and their politics through chat apps, and almost none of those are built or owned in Europe. Why nobody leaves, why the EU’s law forcing WhatsApp open has barely been used, and how Europe could connect its islands of chat.
Protecting children without checking everyone
OpinionEntertainmentOpinion
The EU Kids Act goes after real harm to our children. But to get there, it would require proof of age before anyone opens an account on the largest platforms. But can't we protect children by changing the services instead?
Europe's place in the tech blocs: seven maps, the same territory
Deep DivesDeep Dives
In a volatile world, Europe's alliances form one technology at a time.
Part one of three.
Christian Triantafillou Schade— Digital pioneer, tech reporter, corporate revolutionary. Christian Triantafillou Schade covers Europe's push for digital sovereignty from the public record. He consults on process improvement and tooling.
