Vigenin: Europe must develop artificial intelligence its own way, competitive and accountable to people

“Europe must develop artificial intelligence and digital technologies its own way, combining competitiveness, technological progress and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.” This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament during debates at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.

Vigenin commented on the agreement reached on the so-called AI Omnibus, the package simplifying the application of the European rules on artificial intelligence, for which he is rapporteur on behalf of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

“Artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful technologies of our time. It can drive innovation, make our economy more competitive and improve people’s lives. But this can only happen if its development is based on clear rules and responsibility towards society,” Vigenin stressed.

In his words, thanks to the efforts of the Group of the Socialists and Democrats, the simplification package has not weakened European standards for protecting citizens: “We managed to protect the main achievements of the AI Act. We banned systems that create or manipulate intimate images without consent, we kept the obligation for companies to invest in training and upskilling their staff, and we did not allow the rules on transparency, oversight and the protection of fundamental rights to be weakened under the pretext of simplification.”

In his view, Europe must choose a different path from the minimal-regulation model often held up as an example by the US. “We often hear that success requires less regulation. But today we can also see growing concerns about the uncontrolled use of personal data and the lack of sufficient public oversight of these technologies. Europe is choosing the harder but more sustainable path: innovation that goes hand in hand with citizens’ trust,” Vigenin pointed out.

The European Parliament debated the European Commission’s package on digital sovereignty and strategic digital infrastructure. The discussion focused on how the EU can reduce its dependence on external technologies and platforms while developing its own capacity in artificial intelligence, data centres, cloud services and semiconductors.

During the debate, Kristian Vigenin emphasised the need to build European digital sovereignty. “We cannot talk about strategic autonomy if we remain dependent on foreign digital platforms, cloud services and critical technologies. Real digital sovereignty does not simply mean more data centres or more chip factories. It means democratic control over digital infrastructure, protection of citizens’ data and guarantees that public investment creates public value, jobs and resilience for Europe,” he noted.

The discussion centred on the balance between competitiveness, energy security and the sustainable use of resources. Kristian Vigenin warned that the digital transition must also take account of Europe’s environmental challenges: “While Europe faces record heat, droughts and water shortages, we cannot build our technological sovereignty at the expense of climate goals, energy security or access to water resources. In some Member States we are already seeing competition between the needs of citizens and those of large technology infrastructure.”

Kristian Vigenin summed up that a sustainable European model must combine digital infrastructure, clean energy, quality jobs and climate policy. “Only then will we ensure that technology works for people, and not the other way round,” the Bulgarian MEP concluded.