Director, Digitalization and the Common Good, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Martin Hullin has been Director of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s “Digitalization and the Common Good” program since 2023, where he and his team develop innovative approaches to strengthen the common good in context of responsible digitalization at national and international level. His expertise includes areas such as international digital and data policy, AI and sustainability policy. Mr. Hullin has held professional positions in Washington D.C., Geneva, Paris and Bonn, including co-founding the Datasphere Initiative and roles at the United Nations, GIZ and in global multistakeholder policy networks. His work and views have been presented in prestigious forums such as the UN World Data Forum and COP conferences. He was honored with the Future of Data Award in 2023. Martin is one of the many thinkers behind the Eurostack Initiative.
Roundtable Room 3 (Level 3)
Open
European policymakers are actively seeking to reduce reliance on overseas technology giants while fostering homegrown AI innovation, with initiatives such as the EU Chips Act, the EU AI Act, Gaia-X and stricter data localisation laws. Does Europe’s push for digital independence enable a more competitive technology ecosystem or does it risk creating new regulatory and technological barriers that stifle cross-border technology collaboration?
1. How can Europe lead a third way in AI development, offering an alternative model to the Big-Tech driven US approach and China’s state-led AI ecosystem?
2. Trade-offs of Europe’s AI decoupling strategy and its impact on AI research, enterprise adoption, cross-border innovation
3. What are the steps Europe can take to mobilise and invest in the capabilities, skills, and partnerships needed to drive digital sovereignty efforts?