13th Annual Transatlantic Digital Economy Conference: Cutting through complexity

5 Nov 2026

13:30-18:30

Brussels, Belgium

The digital economy is moving faster than the rules that govern it. For Europe to compete and innovate, it needs clear, workable frameworks that reduce complexity and are fit for purpose. Greater EU-US cooperation can bring more coherence to the digital landscape and support economic growth. Join us on Thursday, 5 November to learn how the EU and US can work together to shape a stronger transatlantic digital economy.

Speakers

Hendrik Bourgeois

Senior Vice-President, Government Affairs and Policy, Europe, Mastercard

Nicole Isaac

Vice-President, Global Public Policy for Government Affairs, CISCO

Raquel Jorge Ricart

Associate Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies

Thibaut Kleiner

Director, Future Networks, Directorate-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission

Eva Maydell

MEP (EPP, BG)

Malgorzata Nikowska

Head of Unit, AI Innovation and Policy Coordination, Directorate-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission

Programme

13.30 - 14.20

Registration and networking

14.20 - 14.30

Welcome and opening remarks 

Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU

14.30 - 15.20

Panel 1 - The power of partnership: building a secure and sovereign digital Europe

Hendrik Bourgeois, Senior Vice-President, Government Affairs and Policy, Europe, Mastercard
Thibaut Kleiner, Director, Future Networks, Directorate-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Moderator: Kait Bolongaro, Journalist

15.20 - 16.00

Coffee break

16.00 - 16.40

Panel 2 - From ambition to adoption: powering Europe’s AI competitiveness

Nicole Isaac, Vice-President, Global Public Policy for Government Affairs, CISCO
Eva Maydell, MEP (EPP, BG)
Malgorzata Nikowska, Head of Unit, AI Innovation and Policy Coordination, Directorate-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Moderator: Pieter Haeck, Senior Technology Reporter, Politico

16.40 - 17.20

Panel 3 - Reality check: is Europe delivering on digital simplification?

Catharina Glugla, Partner, A&O Shearman
Raquel Jorge Ricart, Associate Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies
Matis Pellerin, Group Vice-President, Global Government Affairs, Oracle
Moderator: Thibaut L’Ortye, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, AmCham EU

17.20 - 17.25

Closing remarks