A Clarion Call for Europe’s Digital Sovereignty: Why Our Future Depends on Sovereign AI

A Tribune by Alexandre Gaillard, CEO of InvestGlass
Fellow Europeans, we stand at a crossroads that will define not just our economic future, but the very essence of our democratic values and European identity. The digital revolution is not merely transforming our everyday life—it is reshaping the fundamental power structures that govern our societies, our economies, and our ability to chart our own course in an increasingly connected world.
Digital sovereignty is a multifaceted and evolving concept, central to current debates about digital governance and policy, as it encompasses various claims to self-determination by states, corporations, and individuals within the digital realm.
As I write this from our headquarters in Switzerland, I am acutely aware that every keystroke, every data point, and every algorithmic decision we make today will echo through generations. The question before us is not whether artificial intelligence will transform our world—that transformation is already underway. The question is whether we, as Europeans, will be the architects of our digital destiny or merely passive subjects in a system designed by others, for others.
The Urgent Reality: Europe’s Digital Dependency Crisis
In more recent years, a growing number of European businesses, governments, and citizens have awakened to a sobering reality: our digital infrastructure, our data, and increasingly our decision-making processes are controlled by a handful of tech companies based thousands of miles away in Silicon Valley. This is not merely a technical issue—it is a question of sovereignty that strikes at the heart of our ability to govern ourselves according to our own values and priorities. Each country is now seeking to protect its digital infrastructure and national interests, aiming to secure control over technology and data within its own borders in the face of foreign dominance.
Consider the profound implications of this dependency. When European banks process transactions through foreign cloud services, when our healthcare systems store patient data on servers beyond our jurisdiction, when our governments are relying on foreign algorithms to make policy decisions, we are effectively ceding control over the most critical aspects of our society. The connection between digital dependency and political autonomy has never been clearer, and the stakes have never been higher.
The business models of these Silicon Valley giants are fundamentally at odds with European values. Where we prioritise privacy, they prioritise data extraction. Where we value democratic governance, they operate through opaque algorithmic systems. Where we seek to protect our citizens, they seek to maximise engagement and profit, often at the expense of social cohesion and mental wellbeing.
US firms are increasingly concerned about the growing digital sovereignty movement in Europe and the potential restrictions it could impose on their operations and data management.
The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence represents both our greatest opportunity and our most significant challenge in the quest for digital sovereignty. The ability of AI to process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and make autonomous decisions offers unprecedented potential to enhance productivity, improve public services, and address some of our most pressing societal challenges.
At InvestGlass, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of AI in the financial services sector. Our platform demonstrates how AI can empower European financial advisors to serve their clients more effectively whilst maintaining the highest standards of data protection and regulatory compliance. We have seen how AI can automate routine tasks, identify investment opportunities, and provide personalised advice at scale—all whilst keeping European data within European borders and under European governance frameworks. To ensure true control over AI systems and data, it is crucial for Europe to develop local or open-source software, reducing dependency on foreign providers and strengthening digital sovereignty.
However, the current trajectory of AI development poses existential risks to Europe’s digital sovereignty. The most advanced AI systems are being developed by a small number of American and Chinese tech companies, using business models and governance structures that are fundamentally incompatible with European democratic values. If we continue down this path, we risk becoming digital colonies, dependent on foreign powers for the technologies that increasingly govern our everyday life.

The InvestGlass Vision: Pioneering European AI Excellence
This is precisely why InvestGlass exists. We are not merely a technology company; we are champions of Europe’s digital independence. Our mission extends far beyond providing excellent CRM and client management solutions—we are building the foundation for a sovereign European AI ecosystem that serves European interests and upholds European values.
Our approach to AI development is fundamentally different from that of Silicon Valley tech companies. Where they prioritise scale and market dominance, we prioritise quality, security, and compliance with European laws and regulations. Where they extract value from user data, we empower our clients to maintain complete control over their information. Where they operate in regulatory grey areas, we work closely with European policy makers to ensure that our innovations strengthen rather than undermine democratic governance.
The technical architecture of our platform reflects these values. Every line of code, every algorithm, and every data processing operation is designed with European digital sovereignty in mind. Our servers are located within the EU and Switzerland, our data processing complies with GDPR and other European privacy laws, and our governance structures ensure transparency and accountability to European stakeholders.
The Broader Challenge: Building Europe’s Digital Ecosystem
However, InvestGlass alone cannot solve the challenge of Europe’s digital dependency. What we need is a coordinated effort across governments, businesses, and civil society to build a comprehensive European digital ecosystem that can compete with Silicon Valley whilst upholding our democratic values and protecting our citizens’ rights. These collective efforts are essential for strengthening digital sovereignty and ensuring Europe’s competitiveness in the global digital landscape.
This effort must begin with policy makers who have the power to shape the regulatory environment and address the challenges of digital sovereignty. European governments must recognise that digital sovereignty is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining political independence in the 21st century. Digital policy is a key tool for shaping Europe’s approach to digital sovereignty, and governments must be willing to invest in European AI research and development, support European tech companies, and create regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation whilst protecting citizens’ rights.
The EU has already taken important steps in this direction with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the proposed AI Act. These laws demonstrate Europe’s ability to lead the world in establishing ethical frameworks for digital technologies. However, regulation alone is not sufficient. We also need substantial investment in European AI capabilities, support for European startups and scale-ups, and policies that encourage European businesses and governments to choose European solutions.
Infrastructure and Digital Autonomy: The Backbone of Sovereign AI
In the digital age, the foundation of true sovereignty lies in the strength and autonomy of a nation’s digital infrastructure. As the digital economy expands and US technology companies continue to dominate global markets, the European Union faces a pivotal challenge: how to achieve digital sovereignty while fostering innovation and protecting the core values that define Europe.
At the heart of this challenge is the need to build and control the essential infrastructures that power sovereign AI. This means investing in secure cloud infrastructure, robust data protection mechanisms, and the development of indigenous digital technologies that reflect European values. The EU’s commitment to data sovereignty and technological sovereignty is not just a matter of policy—it is a strategic imperative for economic growth, national security, and the protection of individual rights.
One of the most pressing issues is the management of cross-border data flows. In an interconnected world, the ability to transfer data securely and compliantly across borders is vital for business, research, and public services. However, these data flows must be governed by regulations that safeguard sensitive data and uphold national security. The European Union has taken significant steps to address these challenges, crafting regulations that prioritize data protection and ensure that European data remains under European control.
The World Economic Forum has underscored the importance of digital autonomy and technological sovereignty, particularly for countries in the Global South seeking to participate in the digital economy on their own terms. For Europe, this means not only limiting the influence of non-EU tech companies but also fostering the growth of homegrown solutions that can compete globally. The development of indigenous infrastructures—owned and controlled by European governments or companies—is essential for reducing dependency and enhancing resilience.
Recent years have also seen heightened concern over the extraterritorial reach of laws like the US Cloud Act, which grants US authorities access to data stored by US companies, regardless of where that data resides. This has raised serious questions about the security of sensitive data and the ability of European countries to protect their citizens’ information from foreign intelligence agencies. As a result, there is a growing demand for greater transparency, accountability, and robust governance structures to ensure that tech companies handle data in ways that respect European laws and values.
In everyday life, digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly relevant. Policy makers and governing bodies are recognizing that control over digital infrastructure is not just a technical issue, but a matter of national security and democratic governance. The ability to verify, secure, and control data flows—using technologies such as verification successful waiting, ray i, and ray id—has become a critical component of digital autonomy.
To achieve sovereign AI, Europe must prioritize open and secure digital technologies, invest in resilient cloud infrastructure, and develop regulations that enable secure cross-border data flows without compromising on data protection or national security. This multifaceted approach requires collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society, as well as a commitment to innovation and the development of indigenous solutions.
Ultimately, the path to digital sovereignty is complex and requires ongoing effort. By focusing on infrastructure, digital autonomy, and technological sovereignty, Europe can build a digital future that is secure, innovative, and aligned with European values. The development of sovereign AI depends on our ability to control the technologies and infrastructures that underpin our digital society—ensuring that Europe remains a leader in the global digital economy while protecting the rights and security of its citizens.
The Democratic Imperative: AI Governance for the People
The governance of AI systems is perhaps the most critical aspect of the digital sovereignty challenge. The politics of digital sovereignty play a significant role in shaping debates about AI governance and democratic accountability, as questions of state authority, policy, and control become increasingly complex in the digital age. In democratic societies, the power to make decisions that affect citizens’ lives must ultimately rest with democratically accountable institutions. Yet increasingly, these decisions are being made by algorithms developed by private companies with little transparency or accountability.
This is not merely a theoretical concern. AI systems already influence hiring decisions, loan approvals, criminal justice outcomes, and countless other aspects of everyday life. If these systems are developed and controlled by foreign entities operating according to different values and priorities, European citizens effectively lose their ability to influence the decisions that shape their lives.
At InvestGlass, we believe that AI governance must be transparent, accountable, and aligned with democratic values. Our AI systems are designed to be explainable, auditable, and subject to human oversight. We work closely with regulators to ensure that our innovations comply with European laws and support rather than undermine democratic governance.
The Economic Dimension: Innovation and Competitiveness
The digital sovereignty challenge is not just about values and governance—it is also about economic competitiveness and prosperity. The countries and regions that control the development and deployment of AI technologies will have significant advantages in trade, innovation, and economic growth. If Europe becomes dependent on foreign AI systems, we risk falling behind in the global economy and losing our ability to compete in key industries.
The financial services sector provides a clear example of these dynamics. European banks and financial institutions that rely on American cloud services and AI platforms are effectively subsidising the development of technologies that may eventually be used to compete against them. By contrast, European financial institutions that choose European solutions like InvestGlass are investing in the development of European AI capabilities whilst maintaining control over their data and operations. Choosing European solutions also helps limit foreign access to sensitive data and technology, supporting regulatory safeguards and protecting data sovereignty.
This pattern extends across all sectors of the economy. European businesses that choose European digital solutions are not just protecting their own interests—they are contributing to the development of a sovereign European digital ecosystem that benefits all Europeans. Every euro spent on European AI development is an investment in Europe’s economic future and digital independence.
The Technical Challenge: Building World-Class European AI
Of course, advocating for European digital sovereignty is meaningless if European companies cannot deliver world-class AI solutions. It is important to distinguish between digital sovereignty, which encompasses societal control over digital assets and governance, and cyber sovereignty, which specifically refers to state-level authority over cyber infrastructure, internet regulation, and national security. This is where the technical dimension of the challenge becomes critical. European AI companies must be able to compete with Silicon Valley not just on values and governance, but on performance, reliability, and innovation.
At InvestGlass, we have invested heavily in building technical capabilities that rival those of any global competitor. Our AI systems are trained on high-quality, curated datasets that enable them to deliver accurate, reliable results without the “hallucinations” that plague many AI systems trained on lower-quality data. Our platform architecture is designed for scalability, security, and performance, ensuring that our clients receive world-class service whilst maintaining complete data sovereignty.
The technical challenge extends beyond individual companies to the broader European AI ecosystem. We need world-class research institutions, abundant venture capital, and a regulatory environment that encourages innovation whilst protecting citizens’ rights. We need to attract and retain the best AI talent, support the development of European AI startups, and create connections between research institutions, businesses, and government agencies.

The Path Forward: A Call to Action
The challenge of Europe’s digital sovereignty cannot be addressed by any single company, government, or institution. It requires a coordinated effort across all sectors of European society, united by a shared commitment to democratic values, citizen rights, and economic prosperity. European institutions must respond proactively to the challenges posed by digital dependency and technological vulnerabilities to ensure long-term digital independence.
For policy makers, this means recognising that digital sovereignty is a strategic priority that requires substantial investment and policy support. European governments must be willing to invest in AI research and development, support European tech companies, and create procurement policies that favour European solutions where they meet quality and security requirements.
For businesses, this means making conscious choices about digital infrastructure and services that support European digital sovereignty. Every procurement decision is an opportunity to either strengthen or weaken Europe’s digital independence. European businesses have the power to drive demand for European AI solutions and support the development of a sovereign European digital ecosystem.
For citizens, this means understanding the connection between digital choices and democratic governance. When we choose European digital services, we are not just protecting our own privacy and data—we are supporting the development of technologies that serve European interests and uphold European values.
InvestGlass: Your Partner in Digital Sovereignty
At InvestGlass, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement for European digital sovereignty. The EU’s digital policies and regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in supporting digital sovereignty and shaping the landscape for secure, independent technology solutions. Our platform demonstrates that it is possible to deliver world-class AI solutions whilst maintaining complete data sovereignty and regulatory compliance. We prove every day that European companies can compete with Silicon Valley giants whilst upholding the democratic values and citizen rights that define our European identity.
But we cannot do this alone. We need partners who share our vision of a sovereign European digital future. We need clients who understand that choosing European solutions is not just a business decision but a contribution to Europe’s digital independence. InvestGlass’s mission is closely aligned with the broader movement for Europe’s digital sovereignty, supporting efforts to achieve technological independence and robust digital infrastructure. We need policy makers who recognise the strategic importance of digital sovereignty and are willing to support European innovation.
The future of Europe’s digital sovereignty depends on the choices we make today. Every decision to support European AI development, every investment in European digital infrastructure, and every policy that strengthens European technological capabilities brings us closer to a future where Europeans control their own digital destiny.
Conclusion: The Time for Action is Now
Fellow Europeans, we stand at a moment of unprecedented opportunity and responsibility. The decisions we make about artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty in the coming years will determine whether future generations of Europeans live as digital citizens or digital subjects, whether they benefit from AI technologies designed to serve their interests or find themselves governed by algorithms designed to serve others.
The path forward is clear, but it requires courage, commitment, and collective action. We must invest in European AI capabilities, support European tech companies, and create governance frameworks that ensure AI serves democratic values and citizen rights. We must choose European solutions where they meet our needs and support the development of European alternatives where they do not yet exist. As part of this strategy, we must also be prioritising open and transparent digital infrastructure to ensure that Europe’s digital sovereignty is built on secure, accessible, and trustworthy systems.
At InvestGlass, we are committed to leading this effort in the financial services sector. We invite you to join us in building a sovereign European digital future—a future where European values guide technological development, where European citizens control their own data, and where European businesses compete on the global stage with technologies that serve European interests.
The time for action is now. The future of Europe’s digital sovereignty—and our democratic way of life—depends on the choices we make today. Let us choose wisely, act boldly, and build the sovereign digital Europe that our children and grandchildren deserve.
ABOUT ALEXANDRE GAILLARD
Alexandre Gaillard is the CEO of InvestGlass, a leading European provider of AI-powered CRM and client management solutions. Based in Switzerland, InvestGlass serves financial institutions across Europe with sovereign, secure, and compliant AI technologies.