Participants warn a balanced attitude must be taken to avoid overregulation of AI and falling behind the US and China 

Digital Business Ireland (DBI), the national association for the digital, ecommerce and tech sectors in Ireland,   hosted a round-table discussion (04 June 2025) with key partner companies in the European Parliament. The event was held in conjunction with Regina Doherty MEP (Fine Gael/EPP), with the focus of proceedings on the future of AI policy in Ireland. 

The 90-minute discussion was attended by senior representatives from across a number of institutions to include the European Parliament, European Commission and Permanent Representation of Ireland.  

Opening proceedings was Malgorzata Nikowska from DG CONNECT, who as Head of Unit (AI Innovation and Policy Coordination) plays a significant role in the activities of the European Commission’s AI office, and the drafting of its AI Continent Action Plan, which was published in April of this year. The Plan sets out key areas for AI development, such as computing infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities and ensuring the public and private sectors are fully AI-literate.  

While the Action Plan formed a key part of the discussion, participants agreed that: 

• More needs to be done by Member States in executing the AI Continent Action Plan while ensuring simplified processes for businesses, educational institutions and civic society to assist Europe’s plan to establish itself as an AI leader.   
• A balanced attitude must be taken to avoid both overregulation of AI and the EU falling behind the US and China, as warned by the Draghi and Letta reports. 

DBI has previously urged the Government of Ireland to make the AI transition easier for businesses; the association’s pre-Budget submission, published last week, contained proposals for an AI allowance for businesses in the first year of AI deployment, increased investment in education and training on AI and enhanced, tiered supports for small businesses to support them in the digital transition.  

Speaking at the event, DBI Spokesperson DP Fitzgerald, said “DBI has consistently called on policymakers at national, and EU level, to provide legislative certainty around the AI ecosystem so we can see the effective development and deployment of digital tools across a range of settings from business to education.

We need strong leadership on the issue, which will require an agility from the EU to ensure it does not miss the enormous opportunities AI offers. Implementing EU Directives, in tandem with supportive national policies, will empower and enable a vibrant, supportive and dynamic landscape which will deliver multiple benefits to businesses of all sizes.”

Regina Doherty MEP, who hosted the event, said, “The groundwork has been laid, and now Europe must act. The AI Continent Action Plan provides the framework, but it is at Member State level where innovation must accelerate. We cannot afford to fall behind global competitors. We need to grow with them, cut through unnecessary red tape, and empower businesses to adopt AI with confidence. If we want Europe to lead, we must make it easier, not harder, for businesses to innovate and thrive.”

“As MEPs, we must drive Europe’s competitiveness forward. Through my work on the Internal Markets Committee, I see the urgent need to get the balance right. We must uphold strong, ethical regulation while also creating space for businesses to grow and compete globally. Member States and EU institutions must act quickly and decisively to put Europe in a global leadership position on AI.”