Europe in Transition: CEE Leaders Call for a New Playbook on AI Investment and Regulation

02.07.2025 ·

As the Polish Presidency of the EU Council concluded and Denmark assumed the role, the AI Chamber hosted a high-level event in Brussels focused on the future of artificial intelligence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Co-organized with the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), the event also marked the launch of the AI Chamber’s new report:
“How do SMEs in CEE find their way in the world of AI?” The discussion quickly moved beyond the report’s findings to address broader strategic challenges related to investment, regulation, and talent retention in the region.

Key Takeaways:

Systemic Challenges: Complex Regulations and Talent Drain

Participants agreed that the current innovation ecosystem in the EU is not conducive to AI development. Excessive regulatory complexity and a cautious approach to risk are contributing to the outflow of talent from the region. While Europe has immense intellectual potential, it lacks the mechanisms to retain and fully leverage it locally.

Fragmented Legislation as a Barrier to Innovation

Many panelists emphasized that the issue extends beyond the AI Act to a broader web of scattered regulations that are difficult for businesses to interpret and implement. Business representatives called for simplification and better alignment of rules with the realities of SMEs. There was a strong need to translate general principles into clear, actionable guidance.

A Shift in Investment Mindset

The second part of the event focused on investment strategies. Experts compared European and American approaches, highlighting differences in innovation financing. In Europe, investors often minimize risk by limiting capital, whereas in the U.S., larger investments are seen as a way to increase the likelihood of success. The importance of mission-driven narratives and real-world impact was also underscored as key to attracting funding.

Infrastructure Investment: An AI Gigafactory for CEE

One of the AI Chamber’s central proposals was the creation of an AI Gigafactory in the CEE region—a foundational infrastructure hub to support AI development. The discussion highlighted stark disparities in investment levels between Poland and countries like France or the U.S. Without such infrastructure, the region risks remaining a passive consumer of external technologies. Participants stressed the urgency of action, the need to cut through bureaucracy, and the importance of close collaboration with the private sector to ensure meaningful outcomes.

The event concluded with a clear, pragmatic call for a united CEE that invests boldly in its infrastructure, nurtures a risk-taking and mission-driven mindset, and speaks with a single, powerful voice to shape a simpler and more pro-innovation regulatory environment in Europe.

Full list of speakers