While predicting the future is uncertain, Euronews highlights individuals set to drive the digital agenda in the coming year and merit close observation:
The CEOs/platforms
Elion Musk, Chief Executive Officer of X, and a political figure.
The human has been involved with the European Commission on compliance matters related to digital policy, which includes the AI Act, as well as online platform rules, and is anticipated to continue doing so. Meanwhile, despite being tasked by Trump with overseeing domestic efficiency, he has been preoccupied with himself in controversies spanning the European political landscape.
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Its headquarters Europe to begin tracking its compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew
The video-sharing app remains non-compliant with the Digital Standards Act, with pressure mounting on the Singapore-based platform.
Sam Altman, CEO OpenAI
By 2024, changes in staff, including the departure and return of CEO Sam Altman, are expected. ChatGPT and similar large language models were the subject of extensive discussions in Brussels during the EU’s AI Act drafting process and will serve as a test case when the newly established regulations become effective this year.
Joel Kaplan, incoming President of Global Affairs, Meta
Later this year, Meta’s top policy executive Nick Clegg will be required to defend not only the company’s disinformation policy for 2025, but also the steps it has taken to counter illegal content regarding minors. His predecessor Clegg recently spoke out against strict EU rules governing AI, citing innovation risks, and this debate is far from over since more provisions of the AI Act will be enforced.
The politicians
Aura Salla MEP
Her transition from the private to the public sector is viewed as “completely normal.” As a member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) committee, she will engage in discussions involving digital policy files and will undoubtedly possess extensive knowledge of Big Tech.
Laura Ballarin Cereza, MEP
Laura Ballarin Cereza (Spain/S&D) has just joined the Parliament and already shown her active engagement by submitting multiple parliamentary questions and participating in debates, particularly on topics including misinformation, product safety and the Digital Services Act. As a member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), it is likely she will be involved in shaping critical tech-related policy files during her tenure.
Finnish Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, responsible for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy in Europe.
She will oversee key future legislation, including the Digital Networks Act, online consumer protection, and child protection, as well as the implementation of platform rules, and the AI Act.
Axel Voss, a Member of the European Parliament, and Kai Zenner, his advisor for digital policy,
A prominent tech-related figure in Europe, Axel Voss (Germany/EPP) made his impact during his 15 years in office, specifically on matters regarding the GDPR, copyright, AI, and the EU’s digital transformation more broadly. His chief of staff and digital consultant, Kai Zenner, assisted in developing the AI Act and even co-authored a publication on the topic. He is now a member of AI expert groups at the OECD, the UN, and the World Economic Forum.
Krzysztof Gawkowski, Polish Minister of Digital Affairs
Krzysztof Gawkowski is set to assume pivotal roles in leading the agenda on high-profile issues such as combating misinformation and foreign intervention, cybersecurity, and ensuring adherence to AI legislation and social media guidelines. beforehand, Gawkowski served as a key member of the parliamentary committee on digitalization, innovation and modern technologies.
The watchdogs
Irish Data Protection Commissioner Des Hogan
Des Hogan, who took on the role of head of the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) in February, is tasked with ensuring that numerous large tech companies operating in Ireland adhere to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPC handles a significant volume of GDPR complaints and finds itself at the center of high-profile discussions with tech platforms like Meta and X regarding AI.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) Director-General Agustín Reyna
Seeking to modernize consumer laws for the digital age.
Max Schrems, privacy advocate at NOYB, attorney.
for breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation and the ePrivacy Directive – and there is no indication that their efforts will slow down in 2025.
Commission’s Head of AI Office, Lucilla Sioli
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