Top in Tech

On this episode of "Top in Tech" Megan Stagman, Jessica Mills, and Verity Freeman explore the evolving landscape of online safety, and explore how countries are breaking away from the 'Brussels effect'.  They unpack the impact of geopolitical dynamics, such as the Trump administration's stance against European digital rules, and how this creates new space for other countries ranging from Australia to Brazil, to come forward with new platform regulation proposals rather than simply following the EU's lead. The discussion spans where regulation goes next in adapting online safety frameworks to the age of AI, as well as what happens when consumer protection meets online safety in the EU.  

On this bonus episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director in our Tech, Media and Telecoms (TMT) team, is joined by Divya Singh, Senior Associate and Gosia Szczodrowska, Associate Director, both in our TMT team in Brussels, to discuss the European Commission’s Digital Omnibus proposals, the Digital Sovereignty Declaration and their wider implications for Europe’s digital policymaking. Megan, Divya and Gosia outline how the package seeks to simplify the EU’s digital rulebook - especially on data governance, cybersecurity, and AI. They explore political tensions around privacy, competitiveness, and reflect on whether these developments marks a genuine step toward European digital autonomy.

In this episode of Top in Tech, Tom Doherty, Director at Global Counsel, is joined by Alex Dawson, UK Director, and Jessica Mills, Analyst, to unpack the recent Labour Party Conference and what it means for government policy, technology, and the wider political landscape. They explore how Labour emerged from the conference, with Keir Starmer’s keynote speech setting the tone for the party’s agenda, and the key discussions about tech policy in and around the conference including the government’s push on digital ID, online safety, AI regulation and copyright. 

In this episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli, Practice Director at Global Counsel, is joined by Virginia Caimmi, Rome-based Tech Advisor at UTOPIA, to explore Italy’s groundbreaking AI framework law - the first comprehensive national legislation on artificial intelligence passed by an EU member state. They examine the law’s 28 articles across six titles, including provisions on governance, sector-specific rules, and criminal law reforms. The discussion highlights Italy’s political consensus around AI regulation, and the implications for businesses facing new compliance costs and uncertainty. The conversation also looks at Italy’s sovereignty agenda and its aspirations to lead on European digital regulation, including debates on the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act.

In a bonus episode of Top in Tech, Tom Doherty and Megan Stagman delve into the recently-signed technology partnership between the UK and US, exploring its implications for the evolving landscape of technology policy.  They explore the agreement's contents, the historical context leading to this partnership, and the interests of both nations in shaping future tech collaborations. They also look at what it means for tech businesses in both the US, UK and beyond.

In this episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli, Practice Director, and Tom Doherty, UK Director, unpack the recent UK cabinet reshuffle and its implications for the technology sector. They explore how new ministerial appointments could shift the direction of technology policy, the anticipated timelines for upcoming legislation such as the Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill, and the UK government’s evolving stance on AI regulation, digital sovereignty, and tech innovation. The conversation also delves into the geopolitical context, including the UK’s relationships with the EU and the US, and what these dynamics mean for businesses navigating the changing regulatory environment.

In this week's episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director for TMT, and Sourav Bhowmick, Director in Washington DC, deep dive into the newly published AI Action Plan from the Trump administration. They unpack the key components of the plan, and its associated Executive Orders, including its focus on shifting away from the flurry of recent state-level legislation on AI, the emphasis on preventing 'woke AI' and the long-term implications of delivering the Infrastructure Order. Megan and Sourav also touch on the interplay between the US's strategic priority of exporting AI while strengthening export control enforcement. 

In this episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli, Practice Director, and Anna Lisa Schäfer-Gehrau, Associate, discuss the latest developments in digital policy from Brussels, focusing on the Digital Fairness Act (DFA) and its implications for child protection and fairness in digital environments.  They explore the intersection of the DFA with existing regulations like the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the AI Act, the scope of the DFA, and the ongoing consultation process. The conversation also highlights international regulatory trends and the importance of stakeholder engagement as the EU moves towards significant legislative changes in the coming months. Top in Tech will take a short break for August and return in September.