European AI leaders debate control and sovereignty at Copenhagen's TechBBQ
At TechBBQ in Copenhagen, investors and founders shifted the AI conversation from capabilities to who should govern the technology, highlighting European concerns over sovereignty.
TechBBQ in Copenhagen turned its attention to who controls artificial intelligence, with participants questioning Europe's reliance on overseas AI providers. The withdrawal of Anthropic's Mythos and Fable models from non-European users earlier this year highlighted the fragility of renting AI capacity from the United States and China. Attendees, including angel investor Ellen de Brever, Signal president Meredith Whittaker and Stability AI co-founder Emad Mostaque, argued that sovereignty, privacy and human oversight must guide AI deployment.
Discussions ranged from the ethical implications of AI assistants embedded in operating systems to the broader economic impact of an agentic workforce. Outside the formal sessions, founders networked at rooftop barbecues and cocktail gatherings, reinforcing the event's theme of human connection amid technological change. The consensus was that the future of AI in Europe hinges on establishing domestic ownership and regulatory frameworks.
Why it matters
The debate shapes how Europe will secure independent AI capabilities and protect data privacy.
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