President Karis: We should aim for interdependence rather than digital sovereignty

Speaking at an Arraiolos Group meeting on the development of AI being attended by 10 EU heads of state in Tallinn today, President Alar Karis stressed the need for Europe to carve out its own role in the global evolution of AI and for countries to work towards conscious interdependence rather than digital sovereignty.

“The heads of state of Europe grasp the importance of AI,” he remarked. “Its adoption will change perceptions, the balance of power, societies and nations as a whole. How exactly, and to what extent, is for us to decide. Given what we currently know, we cannot rule out the possibility that AI will become the term we use to describe the 21st century.”

President Karis said that it is important to understand the complexity of AI and the ongoing global competition to develop it in addition to the significance of its strategic deployment. “This does not mean we should impede its use,” he added. “Quite the reverse – we must support and encourage the use of AI every which way, in the public and private sectors alike. At the same time, we must be selective and strive to ensure that Europe plays a determining role in this transformation.”

The head of state described this clear role by saying, “We should not think of ourselves as mere users of AI technologies or view Europe’s role as championing restrictions and regulations. No company – indeed no country – can be entirely digitally sovereign, but we can be aware of and understand our interdependencies, and act accordingly. Instead of aiming for digital sovereignty, countries should work towards achieving conscious interdependence.”

On the invitation of President Karis, the Arraiolos Group meeting was attended by 10 other EU heads of state: Alexander Van der Bellen (Austria), Rumen Radev (Bulgaria), Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Germany), Constantine Tassoulas (Greece), Sergio Mattarella (Italy), Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia), Karol Nawrocki (Poland), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Portugal), Peter Pellegrini (Slovakia) and Nataša Pirc Musar (Slovenia).

Discussions in Statehood House today focussed on two topics: the growing impact of AI on society, and security issues in a situation where Europe – and the rest of the world – is being shaken by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and the hybrid deployment of various threats. As part of the Arraiolos Group meeting, the spouses of the heads of state also visited Estonia, where they learnt about the country’s nature, rural life and cultural heritage.

The Arraiolos Group is a format for informal meetings between European heads of state not involved in the work of the European Council. It was initiated by President Jorge Sampaio of Portugal in 2003. The group takes its name from the Portuguese city in which the first meeting was held, attended by the heads of state of Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Portugal. Several other countries have since joined the group. Topical issues concerning the EU and the world are discussed at the meetings.