Empire of AI meets European democracy

We are pleased to invite you to an conversation with award winning journalist Karen Hao, author of the 2025 New York Times bestseller Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI, and MEP Alexandra Geese (Greens/EFA).

When: Wednesday 22 April 2026, 17:30-19:00 CEST, followed by a networking reception
Where: Arlon80, rue d'Arlon 80, 1040 Brussels

AI is no longer just a technological issue – it sits at the heart of Europe’s regulatory agenda and democratic future. From the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) to emerging frameworks on trustworthy AI, the EU is actively shaping how power, responsibility and accountability are distributed in the digital sphere. At the same time, AI’s impact on labour, markets and global competition is accelerating.

Karen Hao’s investigative work sheds light on how dominant tech companies are driving the current AI boom, often outpacing existing governance tools. Her reporting raises urgent questions about concentration of power, data extraction, and the gap between innovation and oversight.

In this conversation, Karen Hao will reflect on her global research and engage with the European approach to digital regulation. The discussion with MEP Alexandra Geese will explore how the EU can build on its DSA and DMA foundations to advance ethical, human-centric AI – ensuring that technological development aligns with democratic values, protects workers, and serves the public interest.

Programme

- Welcome by Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue
- Conversation with Karen Hao, Author of Empire of AI, and MEP Alexandra Geese (Greens/EFA)
- Q&A with the audience
- Networking reception

Please register here before 21 April 2026.

For any questions, please contact Joan Lanfranco.