Innovation Value Institute summit to discuss technological, organisational and societal change
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In association with Innovation Value Institute
The major names in AI – OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek – are all based in the US and China. There is no European ‘homegrown’ competitor. In the rush to capitalise on AI – whether to make the next step in capability ahead of competitors, or to find a place in the market before the bubble bursts – it can seem that speed is the priority.
To some, this focus on speed rather deep research leading to genuine novelty may seem a worthwhile tradeoff, while others might argue that it makes potentially serious mistakes inevitable. At the same time, public trust in AI as a concept is weak, with ‘AI’ already becoming a byword for misinformation and ‘slop’ as much as innovation and efficiency.
It might appear that Europe’s role in the global AI ecosystem is to regulate AI that is innovated elsewhere. But might it be possible for Europe to balance global leadership in trustworthy AI with the need to stay competitive, especially as simplification efforts accelerate? Balancing innovation and regulation, is it productive to think of the development of AI technologies as a race – or as something less competitive and more collaborative?
The EU AI Act (2024) was the world’s first comprehensive AI law, using a risk-based framework governing everything from chatbots to high-risk systems like healthcare or hiring tools. However, implementation challenges have quickly emerged. These include the Act’s complexity and overlap with other laws (e.g., GDPR (2018), Data Act (2023), etc.); the lack of standards and guidance tools delaying compliance; and high compliance costs and uncertainty for businesses.
These challenges have triggered the AI Omnibus (2025-2026) which is a simplification package to streamline and align EU digital rules. Industry bodies and innovators may see clarity or a reduction of bureaucracy, while critics may perceive a weakening of protections. The question is whether simplification needs to mean loosening protection in exchange for innovation and competitiveness.
Multi-discipline discussion between policymakers, industry leaders, and Irish and international AI innovators is needed to resolve these challenging questions.
You are invited to join this discussion at the panel AI Regulation in Europe: From Complexity to Competitiveness?, as part of the Innovation Value Institute Summit from 10-12 June in Maynooth.
The panel will explore:
- The impact of the AI Omnibus simplification efforts
- The reality of compliance for SMEs vs multinationals
- What companies need to stay competitive globally
- How to ensure safe, responsible and trustworthy AI
The Summit addresses AI regulation and other future challenges and potentials in digital, data and AI. To model international collaboration in the contemporary landscape, across three days of debate the Summit includes expert researchers, innovators and decision makers from Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, placing Ireland’s European perspective in a global context. As well as high-profile roundtables, the Summit invites you to contribute your voice through Q&A sessions, networking and co-creation sessions. The ‘audience’ are active participants, helping to shape the discussion.
As well as debating what ‘collaboration’ can mean in a seemingly fragmented, post-globalisation world, at the Summit leaders will focus on three pillars shaping contemporary digital innovation: technological change, organisational change and societal change. These three modes include aspects ranging from aging global populations, to how consolidating data capture can make agriculture future-proof.
To show that effective and ethical AI usage is not just a theoretical issue, the Summit also includes an experimental ‘co-creation’ session designed and led by an AI agent. Whether the workshop shows how human workers can be replaced, represents the effective meeting of human and machine, or shows the importance of human creativity and judgement, it is sure to be a memorable experience – for its human participants at least.
The Summit is hosted by the Innovation Value Institute, which has been bringing together researchers, innovators and policymakers in digital, data and AI for twenty years. Based at Maynooth University, IVI connects ‘hands on’ academic research with business knowledge and digital efficiency. The twentieth Summit will welcome over 300 international decision makers across three days of talks, interactive discussions and networking sessions, including experts from
- World Bank
- European Commission
- Kerry Group
- ESB
- Research institutes in Germany, the US, Japan and Kenya
- Local and central government organisations from across Ireland
- …and one of Ireland’s top comedians!
You are invited to join the Summit for three days of deciding, shaping and inspiring the digital future. For more information, the full schedule and registration details, visit the IVI website.