- June 30, 2026
- ; 08:30
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- June 30, 2026
- ; 10:30
Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly. Powerful foundation models as well as generative and multimodal systems are already transforming the economy, public administration, and security-relevant sectors. At the same time, demands on data, computing power, and infrastructure are increasing. For the EU, this means that regulation must work — not only on paper, but in practice.
This is precisely where the challenge lies. AI systems are highly versatile, continuously evolving, and often difficult to classify clearly. Regulation therefore faces a fundamental tension: how to effectively limit risks without stifling innovation. In practice, these objectives often come into conflict, while political processes can only partially keep pace with technological developments.
The European regulatory framework:
With the AI Act, the EU has for the first time created a comprehensive, risk-based legal framework for artificial intelligence. It is complemented by other key regulations that together form the foundation of European digital policy: the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Data Act, the Data Governance Act, as well as new product safety and liability rules.
At the same time, there is an intensive debate at the European level about how these regulations can be better aligned and simplified. The focus is on so-called “omnibus” approaches, which aim to reduce regulatory complexity and facilitate practical implementation. Against this backdrop, one central question arises: How can the EU implement this regulatory framework in a way that is effective while also strengthening innovation and competitiveness?
Inside AI Briefings – Session 2: The AI Act Meets Reality – AI Regulation in Europe: understanding, assessing, shaping
This next session of the Inside AI Briefings is dedicated precisely to this crucial implementation phase of European AI regulation.
Among the key questions at the heart of the session are: Where does the EU currently stand in implementing its AI regulation? Which guiding principles shape its approach? What practical challenges are emerging — for example in classification, oversight, or standard-setting? And how can the different regulatory frameworks be meaningfully aligned and simplified?
The Inside AI Briefings, organized by Aspen Germany in cooperation with Amazon Web Services (AWS), are aimed at political decision-makers, ministry officials, and experts from think tanks and practice. The aim of the format is to provide orientation in a highly dynamic and complex field. The briefings create a space in which different perspectives come together and key developments can be assessed collectively.
Participants have the opportunity to gain a well-founded overview of the current state of European AI regulation, discuss open — including controversial — questions, connect perspectives from politics, practice, and research, and jointly develop ideas for regulation that is both effective and future-oriented.
The coming years will determine whether Europe sets global standards with its regulatory approach — or loses momentum. This session offers an opportunity to better understand, critically examine, and actively help shape these key decisions.
