The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was designed to protect privacy and personal data, but its enforcement has been rather lacking across Member States. Some argue that it no longer fully delivers on its original ambitions whereas others denounce it unnecessarily burdens SMEs with regulation.  

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Paula Gurtler, Associate Researcher in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy (GRID) unit at CEPS. Her work focuses on Applied Ethics and in particular the ethics of new technology. Together, they talk potential reforms, the need for agility in data regulation, and how GDPR interacts with newer legislative frameworks such as the Data Act. 

For more information on Paula Reiners and the work of CEPS, visit this link. 

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Women’s health includes well-being across all life stages and while reproductive health is often the focus, there are many overlooked areas such as mental health or diseases prevention that require attention. Greater investment in these often-overlooked areas of research could yield social but also economic benefits worldwide. 

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Cosima Lenz, associate researcher in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy (GRID) Unit, specializing in global health policy. Together they discuss the economic benefits of investing in women’s health, and how policy shifts can help close gaps in research and healthcare access. 

For more information on Cosima Lenz and her work at CEPS, visit this link. 

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The EU is going to miss its target of net-zero emissions by 2050 unless it greatly accelerates the transition to a sustainable economy. A climate bad bank is a tool the EU could use in order to smooth out the transition by directing investment to green sectors from carbon intensive industries while also providing financial stability. 

Our host is joined by Nicole Reynolds, Associate Research Fellow at CEPS, her work centres around policy issues in AI, sustainability, climate and development finance. They explore the importance of EU competitiveness and the need for financial guarantees to attract investment. 

For more information on sustainable finance and EU policies, visit this link. 

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Pension funds play an important role as institutional investors in financing Europe's key sectors. However, their current use is limited, especially compared to more liberalised markets as the U.S. Leveraging these funds is key to give European start-ups and innovators the financial boost they need to compete globally 

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Apostolos Thomadakis, Head of research at the European Capital Markets Institute (ECMI), an independent research institute run by CEPS’ Financial Markets and Institutions Unit. Both will discuss how Europe can encourage pension funds to invest in high-growth sectors like AI, clean energy, and digital infrastructure.  

For more information on Apostolos Thomadakis and the work of CEPS, visit this link. 

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Health diplomacy is undergoing significant transformations. Traditional approaches are being challenged, and we are far from reaching the health goals of the Agenda 2030. Geopolitical uncertainty has undermined the traditional multilateral initiatives, while new international donors and regional organisations are playing an increasingly important role in Global Health Diplomacy. 

Our host is joined by Louise Bengtsson, Associate Research Fellow at CEPS in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy (GRID) Unit at CEPS. Her research focuses on the EU institutions and the EU’s role in global health. Together, they discuss how the EU navigates the new health diplomacy landscape, and the consequences of political decisions on Global Health systems. 

For more information on Louise Bengtsson and the work of CEPS, visit this link. 

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Reaching Europe’s sustainability and industrial goals requires a stronger bioeconomy. Agriculture is evolving beyond food production, contributing to biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and materials that could replace traditional industrial inputs like cement. However, Europe’s strict regulations, particularly on GMOs, are seen as barriers to innovation. How can Europe remain competitive while maintaining strict environmental regulations? 

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by David Zilbermann, Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, to explore these challenges and opportunities. They discuss the role of genetic engineering in European agriculture and the need for regulatory reform to balance risk with innovation. 

For more information on David Zilberman and his work, visit this link. 

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Today in Europe, far-right parties are playing a prominent role whether we like it or not, as partners of broader coalitions and even as leaders in some cases. As a result, political forces must coexist with this new player and find ways of limiting its influence. 

Our host Tom Parker is joined by Sophia Russack, Researcher at CEPS in the Institutions unit. Together, they discuss the growing significance of the far-right in Europe, explore the factors that have contributed to its rise, and consider potential measures to protect Europe from this form of extremism. 

For more information on Sophia Russack and the work of CEPS, visit this link. 

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Funding, infrastructure and fundamental research are all areas in need of focus if we want to discover the next big thing and, maybe more importantly, attract the right people capable of doing it. The European Research Council has taken steps into ensuring the continent remains a welcoming ecosystem for researchers and investigation on the global stage. 

Our host Tom Parker is joined by Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council. Together, they will discuss if a “CERN for AI” to support AI innovation is the right move to remain attractive in the field. 

For more information on Maria Leptin and the work of the ERC, visit this link. 

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Migration has become a highly politicised area of discussion in the last decade with the refugee crisis, illegal migration and more recently Ukraine refugees. With so much movement within the European continent the EU institutions have the duty to enforce the law upon Member States and ensure migrants’ rights are respected, which is not always the case. 

Our host Tom Parker is joined by Sergio Carrera, senior research fellow at CEPS and Head of Justice and Home Affairs unit. Together, they will discuss migration, fundamental rights and the dangerous consequences of failing to enforce the law for the future of Europe. 

For more information on Sergio Carrera and CEPS check this link. 

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While the EU’s Green Deal aims to promote sustainability, high levels of resource consumption remain a major challenge. One approach to addressing this issue is sufficiency, a concept focusing on meeting societal needs while staying within planetary boundaries. Rather than simply increasing efficiency, sufficiency emphasises the need to reduce overall demand, for example by re-using existing buildings rather than constructing new ones, by promoting shared transport, or by preventing waste rather than recycling it. Integrating the concept of sufficiency into policy-making can therefore help the EU achieve its climate goals.  

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Luca Nipius, researcher at the Energy, Resources & Climate Change Unit at CEPS. Together, they discuss the role of sufficiency in the Green Transition, how it can be incorporated into EU policies, and why it is essential for achieving net-zero goals while ensuring a just transition.  

For further reading on CEPS’ research on sustainability and green policies, and Luca Nipius’ work on resource consumption, sufficiency, and the Green Deal, follow this link.  

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AI and the division of Labour 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the division of labour by making certain tasks more accessible while exposing others to automation. This shift is creating new learning opportunities, changing workplace dynamics, and raising questions about job security and productivity. While some roles, such as programming and content creation, are highly exposed to AI, jobs that require human empathy, ethical judgement, and creativity remain less affected. A key question, therefore, is how workers and businesses in different sectors can leverage AI to improve efficiency, while ensuring that AI enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise. 

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Laura Nurski, Associate Research Fellow and Head of the Future of Work Programme at CEPS. Together they discuss the evolving role of AI in the workplace, the risks and opportunities it presents, and how organisations can successfully integrate AI while supporting workers in an era of rapid technological change. 

For more on CEPS’ research on the future of work and digital transformation, and Laura Nurski’s work on AI, labour markets, and skills development, follow this link. 

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Citizen participation in EU policy-making remains low, partly due to the complexity and inaccessibility of the system. Digital tools offer a potential solution to increase citizen involvement, but challenges such as mistrust, accessibility gaps, and fragmentation of efforts hinder progress. This episode therefore explores how digitalisation, if implemented effectively and transparently, could strengthen democratic participation in the EU.  

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Berta Mizsei, Researcher in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation, and Digital Economy (GRID) unit at CEPS. Together, they discuss the obstacles to greater public involvement, the role of digital tools in enhancing democracy, and the vision for a more participatory and inclusive EU policy-making process.  

For further reading on CEPS’ research on citizen engagement and democratic innovation, and Berta Mizsei’s work on EU policy-making and public participation, follow this link.  

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Understanding how to foster economic growth across different regions is crucial to strengthening the EU’s competitiveness. The framework of evolutionary economic geography provides valuable insights into this process, explaining why some regions develop thriving industries while others struggle. Using these insights can help policymakers to foster cross-border collaboration and design policies that reflect regional strengths.  

Our host, Tom Parker, is joined by Prof. Dr. Ron Boschma, Professor of Regional Economics at Utrecht University. Together, they explore how a smarter, regionally tailored approach to EU competitiveness could unlock new opportunities for growth and ensure that economic policies reflect the unique strengths of different regions.  

For more on CEPS’ research on EU economic growth and regional development, follow this link.  

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Effective policymaking depends not only on data, but also on asking the right questions. While data science has advanced significantly, "question science" remains underdeveloped, leading to inefficient decision making and overlooked societal needs. The “100 Questions Initiative” therefore seeks to identify the most pressing issues by prioritising question formulation, for example in women’s health research, where biases in data collection and framing often exclude key perspectives. Extending this approach to other fields could counteract AI-driven biases and ensure more equitable outcomes.   

Joining host Tom Parker is Stefaan Verhulst, co-founder of GovLab and Data Tank, who explores how question science can refine policymaking, address systemic biases, and foster a smarter approach to AI-driven research and innovation.  

For more on GovLab’s and Stefaan Verhulst’s research on question science, policymaking, and AI-driven innovation, follow this link.  

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The EU’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme is an important funding tool, accounting for around 10% of total European research investment. Concerns are therefore rising over its potential absorption into a broader competitiveness fund, as this risks reducing its visibility and effectiveness.  As the U.S. and China increase their research spending, Europe faces pressure to address declining interest in research careers and to strengthen bottom-up scientific governance.  

Joining host Tom Parker is Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, ISC Fellow and former President of the European Research Council (ERC), who discusses the future of EU research funding, the need to attract young researchers, and how bottom-up scientific governance can drive innovation and competitiveness.  

For further reading on CEPS’ research on EU economic growth and regional development, follow this link.  

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The rapid development of AI has exposed significant gaps in liability laws, making it difficult to determine responsibility when AI systems cause harm. This is particularly challenging due to the "black box" nature of AI and the fragmented regulatory landscape across EU member states. One future solution may be the “Product Liability Directive”, set to take effect in 2026, which will shift the burden of proof onto AI companies and will require greater transparency. However, key issues like misinformation, discrimination, and intellectual property violations remain unaddressed, raising concerns about the need for a more comprehensive AI liability framework in the EU.  

Joining host Tom Parker is Artur Bogucki, Associate Researcher in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy (GRID) unit at CEPS, to examine the challenges of AI regulation and discuss what policymakers need to do to ensure a clear, enforceable liability system that keeps pace with technological advancements.  

For further reading on CEPS’ research on AI regulation and liability, and Artur Bogucki’s work on digital governance and technology policy, follow this link.  

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The rapid expansion of EU digital laws has created a complex regulatory landscape, with overlapping frameworks and inconsistencies across member states. This episode explores how a Digital Clearinghouse 2.0 could streamline enforcement, improve cross-sector collaboration, and address regulatory fragmentation. As businesses struggle to navigate the growing web of digital regulation, the conversation highlights the urgent need for smarter, more adaptive governance to support innovation while protecting consumer rights.  

Joining host Tom Parker is J. Scott Marcus, Associate Senior Research Fellow at CEPS, to explore how the EU can improve regulatory coherence, ensure fair enforcement across member states, and future-proof its digital policies.  

For more on CEPS’ digital policy research and J. Scott Marcus’ work on telecommunications, digital regulation, and competition policy, follow this link.  

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The integrity of EU governance relies on ethical conduct and democratic accountability. However, gaps in transparency, a lack of enforcement mechanisms and political scandals such as Pfizergate continue to undermine this very accountability and, by extension, the trust in EU institutions. This episode therefore explores the creation of a fully independent Ethics Authority to enforce common rules across all EU institutions, ensuring accountability and preventing conflicts of interest.  

Host Tom Parker is joined by Julia Poczse, Researcher in the Justice and Home Affairs unit at CEPS. Together, they discuss the urgent reforms needed to strengthen ethical governance in the EU and the political implications of declining accountability, particularly in the face of a rising far-right movement.  

For further reading on CEPS’ policy research and Julia Pocze’s work on EU governance, rule of law, and institutional transparency, follow this link.  

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Given the geopolitical developments and their direct impact on the energy market, Europe is in need to look at alternatives to satisfy its energy needs, namely liquefied natural gas. This development has disrupted Europe’s move towards electrification as low carbon alternatives are still decades away from supplying the continent with the energy it needs. Europe’s response has been fragmented and uncoordinated. Are renewables the solution? How much time will it take Europe to undertake the necessary steps to satisfy its energy needs? 

Our host Tom Parker is joined by Christian Egenhofer, senior research fellow at CEPS where he has been heading the Energy, Resources and Climate Change Unit from 2000 to 2019. 

For further reading on CEPS’ policy research and Christian Egenhofer’s work, follow this link. 

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As global tech competition grows, Europe must secure its own digital infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign technology and avoid economic and security risks. A European digital stack—spanning semiconductors, AI, and network infrastructure—could boost security while driving innovation, investment, and talent development.  

Joining host Tom Parker is Christopher Fischer, Research Fellow in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy (GRID) unit, who explores how Europe can build technological sovereignty, the challenges of fragmented innovation hubs, and the need for targeted investment to strengthen the EU’s position in the global digital landscape.  

For further reading on CEPS’ research on digital sovereignty, innovation policy, and technological competitiveness, follow this link.  

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