The annual TechBBQ conference in Copenhagen, which concluded on August 27, focused on the theme of agency and the question of European technological sovereignty. Investors and founders discussed the risks of relying on infrastructure and AI models controlled by the U.S. and China.
Discussions were prompted by the earlier unavailability of Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable models to European users. Participants debated the necessity for Europe to own its own AI infrastructure rather than renting capacity from foreign powers.
Signal president Meredith Whittaker criticized the integration of AI assistants into operating systems, describing current trends as a data collection apparatus. She emphasized that there remains a significant market demand for privacy in the region.
Emad Mostaque, co-founder of Stability AI and Intelligent Internet, highlighted the concentration of power within a few AI labs. He suggested that future national governance may become increasingly dependent on AI control.
The event featured various sessions on innovation, including collaborations between Nordic and African ecosystems and the future of growth capital in Europe. Attendees also explored the societal implications of AI agents performing cognitive and physical labor.