German panel discussion in partnership with the Weizenbaum Institute: register now!

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“Sovereignty on the Web – How a European web data infrastructure strengthens freedom, the economy and democracy”

As part of #ossym 2026, we are delighted to invite you, in partnership with the Weizenbaum Institute, to an evening event featuring a panel discussion in Berlin. Please note that the event will be held entirely in German.

  • What: Panel discussion followed by networking (including snacks)
  • When: 8 October 2026, 7.00 pm
  • Where: Weizenbaum Institute, Hardenbergstrasse 23, 10623 Berlin

    Weizenbaum event englisch

The development of competitive European services in the field of artificial intelligence – particularly in innovative approaches such as agent-based AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) – requires access to valid, large-scale web data. At present, the value generated from this publicly accessible data on the internet is almost exclusively controlled by a handful of non-European monopolists. This lack of transparency poses massive risks for Europe: distorted information, one-sidedly trained AI models and products that do not reflect European values and legislation jeopardise our digital sovereignty and democratic discourse.

Political initiatives such as the Digital Commons EDIC are important milestones, but they fall short without an open and comprehensive web data infrastructure of our own. Europe urgently needs an independent web search and web data infrastructure as the foundation for innovation and freedom.

Key questions in the discussion:
  • How can we ensure free and unbiased access to global information for European businesses and the academic community?
  • What framework conditions must policymakers put in place to provide an open, values-based alternative to the monopolies held by providers from third countries?
  • How does an independent data infrastructure strengthen the resilience of our democracy and economy in the age of AI?
Panelists confirmed so far:
  • Stefan Mesken (Chief Scientist, DeepL)
  • Esther Görnemann (Research Synthesis Officer, Weizenbaum Institute)
  • Stefan Voigt (Chair of the Open Search Foundation; researcher at DLR)

Moderator: Olivier Blanchard (Economy Working Group at the Open Search Foundation, management consultant)

Registration

Registration for free on-site attendance is now open. Please register here.
Further information on the evening event can be found here. Subject to change.

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