Italy’s digital agency faces questions over China AI conference trip
Italy’s Agency for Digital Italy (AgID) has not clarified whether its Director General’s participation in China’s World AI Conference (WAIC) reflected official policy, following media requests for comment. The episode raises strategic questions amid Italy’s alignment with Western partners on AI governance. AgID and the Undersecretary for Digital Transition have not responded to inquiries, Decode39 reports. (DECODE39)
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Christian Triantafillou Schade— Digital pioneer, tech reporter, corporate revolutionary. Christian Triantafillou Schade covers Europe's push for digital sovereignty, from cloud infrastructure to AI policy, and consults independently on process improvement and tooling.
Ukraine launches €50M fund for defense tech founders
UkraineEstoniaMilitary and securityNews
Ukrainian defense tech platform Resist.UA has launched Resist 2.0, a €50 million fund to support Ukrainian and European companies with Ukrainian roots developing battlefield-validated technologies. The fund, established in Estonia, aims to connect international investors with Ukraine's defense and dual-use sector, focusing on founders
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EU leaders to hold first dedicated AI summit
News
The European Council will schedule its first dedicated discussion on artificial intelligence among the 27 member states before the end of the year. European Council President António Costa intends to include the debate at one of the EU’s remaining summits in 2024. The move reflects a shift from regulatory
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EU approves €659m for German semiconductor projects
GermanyNews
The European Commission approves €659 million in State aid for four German semiconductor manufacturing projects. The funding targets first-of-a-kind facilities in power semiconductors, silicon carbide, manufacturing equipment and detector chips, advancing the EU Chips Act's goal of reducing strategic dependencies in chip supply chains. (EENEWS
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UK Sovereign AI Fund invests in Cambridge AI startup CuspAI
United KingdomNews
The UK’s Sovereign AI Fund, backed by Jeff Bezos, co-led a $450m Series B round for Cambridge-based AI startup CuspAI. The investment values CuspAI at $2.6bn, five times its valuation from September 2025. CuspAI develops AI systems for materials discovery in clean energy and semiconductors, with
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EU Commission finalises US border data access deal
News
The European Commission is finalising an Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP) Framework Agreement with the US, allowing border authorities to screen travellers against biometric databases. The leaked draft suggests the Commission conceded to US demands for unfettered data access, raising concerns over fundamental rights and digital sovereignty. Negotiations began in
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EU fines AliExpress €550M under Digital Services Act
ChinaNews
The European Commission imposed a record €550 million fine on China’s AliExpress for systemic failures in moderating illegal products under the Digital Services Act. The penalty follows a probe into risks posed by counterfeit goods, unsafe toys and dangerous cosmetics on the platform. AliExpress plans to appeal the decision.
