The EU wants an AI revolution. But on whose terms?

Step-dancers spun across the circular stage in the middle of a dark hall, entrancing an audience of policymakers and tech bosses. Not simply another bureaucratic conference, the International AI Summit , hosted in Dublin this week, aspired to something more spectacular — a grand announcement that Europe is ready for its artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Among the more than 1,500 expected guests were Google DeepMind co-founder and chair Demis Hassabis and Microsoft president Brad Smith, in addition to high-ranking European Union and Irish officials . The event was a key part of Ireland's term as president of the EU Council , but a lack of critical voices to counterbalance the AI enthusiasm on display has drawn accusations of tech boosterism.