At the Europe 2025 conference, there was an interesting panel of men on the topic of AI and Europe. I wanted to attend mainly because of Richard Socher, AI pioneer, founder of you.com, former chief scientist at Salesforce and, as a Stanford professor, father of prompt engineering. RS is one of the many Germans who are successful in Silicon Valley – and he really is exceptionally good, both scientifically and as an entrepreneur.
Björn Ommer, AI researcher and professor at LMU Munich and co-developer of Stable Diffusion, also took part in the discussion. The event was moderated by Jochen Wegner, editor-in-chief of ZEIT ONLINE.
What was it about?
The central question: How can Europe use AI as a strategic technology to remain globally competitive – and at the same time strengthen its own innovative power?
I then had the conversation summarized via you.com – and made a few additions and comments or added links.
Opportunities for Europe:
- Open technologies: Open source models such as Deepseek and Stable Diffusion show that innovation is possible without investing billions. Europe can take on a global leadership role through smart scaling and targeted promotion of open source projects.
- Strong foundations: Europe’s excellent education systems and expertise in natural sciences provide a solid basis for the development of future-oriented AI applications.
Challenges:
- Resistance to change: European politics and society are often too static in their thinking. There is a lack of willingness to take risks and the courage to see AI as a transformative opportunity.
- Bureaucracy: Complex processes and a lack of funding structures inhibit innovation and the establishment of new companies.
- Resources: Europe does not have sufficient critical mass in terms of resources and investment to compete with the USA and China.
So far, so good. Up to this point, the inventory is known.
Solutions for a strong future
Technological vision:
AI is more than just a tool – it is an “enabling technology“, comparable to electricity. It links disciplines such as chemistry, biology and physics and enables advances that were previously unthinkable – for example in drug development or materials research.
Richard Socher is obviously also committed to this in the political discourse and in his consultations in Germany.
Promote interdisciplinarity:
The key to innovation lies in collaboration. Disciplinary boundaries hinder progress; in future, theory, experiment and AI-based simulation must complement each other.
Björn Ommer, who critically reflected on the German division of labor in research institutions, repeatedly reminded the audience of this.
AI in the world of work:
- AI agents are already transforming digital knowledge work by taking over routine tasks such as research or report creation.
- In the near future, up to 80% of digital jobs could be automated, says RS.
Value orientation and data protection:
Despite all the possibilities, the protection of personal data remains a key concern – as does the value-based use of AI, which reflects European principles.
Demands on politics and society
For Europe to seize its opportunities, it needs a clear change of course. The most important measures:
- Strengthen education: Computer science and digital skills must be an integral part of the curriculum – from elementary school to university. And beyond that, I think.
- Simplify funding structures: start-ups and researchers should have uncomplicated access to resources. Dare to invest more – also on the part of politicians to emphasize the urgency.
- Change the mindset: Understand AI not as a threat, but as a strategic technology of the future. Easier said than done, but leaders everywhere must set an example.
- Promote interdisciplinarity: Linking research, education and business more closely.
- Investing: A European “Sovereign Wealth Fund” for AI could be crucial to promoting innovation in the long term.
- Establish positive narratives: Communicating AI as an opportunity and reducing fears.
Key Takeaways
- Europe has the opportunity to play a key role internationally in the field of AI – but only if it acts now.
- AI is a transformative force that can connect technologies, disciplines and societies.
- It takes courage, investment and a change of perspective to actively shape the future.
TIP: Watch the talk as a whole. It’s worth it!