At the International AI Summit in Dublin, liberal leaders laid out a pro-market blueprint to boost European competitiveness without drowning innovation in red tape.
The European Union was ahead of the curve in governing artificial intelligence, but now it wants a bigger role in shaping the technology itself.
That was the challenge facing more than 1,500 delegates at the International AI Summit in Dublin on 14 October, as Ireland used its EU Council presidency to launch the ‘Dublin Declaration on Trustworthy, Safe and Sovereign Artificial Intelligence’.
The final text outlines six lines of action to strengthen Europe’s AI capabilities. From system security and infrastructure scaling to backing European companies and more skills training, the idea is to spawn closer cooperation among Member States.
The theme running through the summit was how Europe can harness AI to revolutionise its competitiveness without compromising safety. Ireland was an interesting place to have that conversation; as the European headquarters of many global technology companies, it has a direct stake in how Europe’s AI sector develops.
Last year, the Irish government appointed the first “AI Minister” across EU Member States as Minister Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil, IE) took on the portfolio. Hosting the summit, she officially launched the European AI Innovation Month and said the declaration is "a strong political signal of Member States’ shared commitment to reinforce and accelerate the important work already under way at European level.”
Speakers made clear that Europe is lagging behind in the global race, with the EU hosting just 5% of the world’s AI computing capacity, with the US (75%) and China (15%) ahead. But this is about more than bragging rights. AI could transform everything from healthcare to manufacturing, reshaping the balance of economic and geopolitical power in what is becoming a modern-day arms race.
Taoiseach and leader of ALDE Party member Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin spoke about the opportunities afoot with the AI race and how Europe must be at the front of it:
"We are determined to capture the dividend by mitigating the risks. In Europe, we have charted our path by balancing innovation and opportunity with a trustworthy, human-centred approach to AI. We have been to the forefront of every tech wave over recent decades, and we will be to the forefront of this one.”
The summit comes two years after the introduction of the EU’s AI Act. The law was designed to put Europe at the forefront of AI governance, but rapid technological change is already testing how well regulation can keep pace. Many of its provisions began applying in August, making the debate more relevant than ever.
Uncertainties remain about whether the European bloc can close the gap with rivals while maintaining strict regulation amidst AI safety concerns. But ensuring that Europe can secure global leadership in trustworthy AI is crucial according to European Commissioner Michael McGrath:
"From AI innovation to helping businesses scale and protecting consumers, there is plenty to discuss with Meta, Google, Vodafone, TikTok and the Children’s Rights Alliance. The future of AI must be innovative, competitive and safe for everyone. Because trust fuels innovation."
The AI era requires investment in talent, research and innovation. For liberals, Europe’s competitiveness and future autonomy will rely on its influence in this ecosystem. The Dublin Declaration sets out a shared direction; now countries must turn cooperation into action.
With such a high-stakes summit taking place in Dublin, liberals now look to the Irish capital for the ALDE Party Council on 13-14 November.