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We keep track of important developments across Europe to make sure you are up to date.

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Estonia explores digital identities for AI agents

Estonia’s e-Residency team and Eesti.ai Council will explore digital identities for AI agents, enabling secure, controlled interactions with digital services. The project, coordinated with public and private partners, aims to define delegated authority for AI agents while reinforcing Estonia’s digital governance leadership. A pilot is planned

by Christian Triantafillou Schade

24 Sep 2026

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Netherlands deploys NixOS-based desktop to bypass Microsoft ICC cut-off

Netherlands News

Eight Dutch municipalities are testing DAWO, a NixOS-powered Linux desktop environment developed by the government to maintain digital sovereignty after Microsoft discontinued the ICC protocol. The initiative aims to reduce dependency on proprietary software in public administration. (ITSFOSS) The Netherlands Built a Nix-Based Linux Desktop Because Microsoft Cut

(#source_itsfoss.com) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Protests mount as AI data centers strain Europe's resources

News

Massive data centers required for AI expansion face local opposition across Europe over concerns about water and energy use. Operators argue the facilities support digital sovereignty and energy independence. The European Commission introduces a transparency scheme for centres over 500 kW to address sustainability concerns. (DW) Backlash over data centers

(#source_DW) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Irish regulator fines Google €403 million for location tracking

Ireland News

The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for unlawful location tracking and ordered compliance with GDPR within six months. The decision follows an eight-year complaint by consumer organisations coordinated by BEUC, which alleged Google manipulated users into allowing constant tracking. (BEUC) Google fined for invasive location

(#source_BEUC) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

ECB launches Pontes platform to link payment system with blockchain

Payment and banking News

The European Central Bank introduced Pontes, a platform connecting its payment system to blockchain-based markets, enabling euro-backed transactions. Initial users include Deutsche Bank, Santander and Clearstream. The ECB will also invest part of its €23 billion own funds in blockchain-based securities, Reuters reports. (REUTERS) ECB connects payment

(#source_Cyprus-Mail) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Germany’s openDesk launches partner programme for productivity suite

Germany News

Germany’s openDesk open-source productivity suite has seen high demand, prompting ZenDiS to launch a partner programme. Private sector cloud providers can now build their own offerings based on the suite, supporting digital sovereignty in public administration. (HEISE) Huge demand for openDesk – partner program launches nowZenDiS has launched a

(#source_www.heise.de) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

EU proposes energy rating scheme for data centres

Energy News

The European Commission proposed a common EU energy rating scheme for data centres with IT power demand above 500 kW, aiming to improve transparency on energy and water use. Labels are expected in 2027, with consultation closing on 14 October. The scheme seeks to support grid stability and waste heat

(#source_www.nupath.eu) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

US urges global AI alignment as China gains ground

News

The United States is pushing countries to align with its AI strategy amid concerns that China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence could surpass US capabilities. The move reflects growing unease in Washington over Beijing’s progress in the technology sector. (CNN) The US wants the world to pick a

(#source_edition.cnn.com) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

SPRIND and NADI launch €40M challenge to reinvent chip design

Germany Netherlands News

Germany’s SPRIND and the Netherlands’ NADI launch a €40M challenge to accelerate European chip design innovation, aiming to reduce dependence on non-EU semiconductor technologies. The initiative targets strategic autonomy in critical tech sectors. (TECH.EU) TEKEVER raises $580M Series D, DTCP closes €455M defence fund, and the challenge

(#source_Tech.eu) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Estonian CybExer leads ESA satellite cybersecurity tests

Estonia Finland Greece Italy News

Estonian cybersecurity firm CybExer Technologies will lead a ten-company European consortium developing cybersecurity tests for satellite communications under a contract with the European Space Agency. The project, part of ESA’s Low-LEO activities linked to the EU’s IRIS² secure network, assesses vulnerabilities in the full satellite communications

(#source_e-Estonia) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

German lawmaker criticises Commission’s AI Act enforcement

Germany News

Axel Voss, a German conservative lawmaker and ally of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has criticised the European Commission’s enforcement of the EU AI Act as inadequate. Voss, a member of the CDU, argues the Commission’s response to rapid AI developments is insufficient and highlights gaps in

(#source_Politico) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

EU AI adviser urges commissioners to prioritise deployment over model development

News

The EU’s chief AI adviser, Jim Hagemann Snabe, told commissioners on 4 September that the bloc should focus on deploying AI to boost productivity across sectors like health, agriculture and manufacturing. The Commission is mapping AI applications and barriers as part of a strategy due in early 2027, POLITICO

(#source_Politico) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Clastix raises €2.9 million to build sovereign Kubernetes infrastructure

Italy News

Italy’s Clastix secures €2.9 million in a Seed round led by CDP Venture Capital Sgr, with Mistral and Vertis SGR participating. The Naples-based company develops sovereign Kubernetes infrastructure to reduce operational overhead and support AI-scale workloads, positioning itself as a European alternative to hyperscaler-dependent solutions.

(#source_EU-Startups) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Research maps email security in Swiss, German and Austrian municipalities

Switzerland Germany Austria News

A peer-reviewed paper and interactive maps analyse the email security posture of around 15,300 municipalities in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The study compares digital sovereignty measures using public DNS records and network signals, classifying providers by jurisdiction and assessing SPF and DMARC configurations. (SECASSURE2026.MXMAP-PROJECT.ORG) Analysis

(#source_secassure2026.mxmap-project.org) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

EU launches energy rating scheme for data centres

News

The European Commission proposed a common EU rating scheme for data centres to improve transparency on energy and water use, covering facilities with IT power demand above 500 kW. The scheme aims to support grid stability and waste heat reuse, with labels expected in 2027. Consultation closes on 14 December

(#source_eeNews-Europe) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

SiPearl delivers Rhea1 CPUs to power Jupiter supercomputer

France News

French chip designer SiPearl has begun delivering its Rhea1 CPUs to Bull for integration into Jupiter, Europe's most powerful supercomputer. The 80-core chip, based on Arm's Neoverse V1 design, will power a CPU-only partition of 1,300 nodes with an estimated 5 petaFLOPS output,

(#source_The-Register) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Norway plans Europe's largest rare-earth mine for 2028

Norway News

Norway intends to open Europe's largest rare-earth mine by 2028, aiming to reduce reliance on imports. The project has faced delays due to environmental concerns over mineral-processing facilities in forested areas. (EURONEWS) Norway says Europe's 'largest' rare-earth mine plan set for

(#source_Euronews) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Germany and Netherlands launch €40 million AI chip design challenge

Germany Netherlands News

Germany’s SPRIND and the Netherlands’ NADI have launched a €40 million joint programme to accelerate AI-native chip design. The AI-Native Chip Design Challenge aims to reduce development timelines and strengthen Europe’s sovereign AI capabilities. Seven teams will receive €2.6 million each in Stage 1, with

(#source_EU-Startups) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

EU and EIB launch investor pact to fund tech scale-ups

News

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank launched the European Institutional Investors Pact to channel long-term institutional capital into Europe’s tech scale-ups. Thirteen investors have already committed to the initiative, which will utilise the €15 billion European Tech Champions Initiative 2.0 and the €5 billion

(#source_EU-Startups) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

AI executives to brief UN Security Council on Wednesday

News

Executives from leading AI companies are scheduled to brief the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The session aims to address global governance challenges related to AI, including sovereignty and security concerns in a multipolar world. (BRUSSELS TIMES) AI executives to address UN Security Council on Wednesday - The Brussels TimesAI executives

(#source_Brussels-Times) By Christian Triantafillou Schade

Italy’s Butti urges international AI pact to balance innovation and accountability

Italy News

Italy’s undersecretary for technological innovation, Alessio Butti, calls for an international framework on AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. The proposal follows a US mission and aligns with Prime Minister Meloni’s stance on preserving democratic safeguards in AI competition. Decode39 reports. (DECODE39) Undersecretary Butti makes the case

(#source_Decode39) By Christian Triantafillou Schade
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