Top in Tech

On this week's episode of Top in Tech, Directors Adriana Capparelli and Megan Stagman explore what DeepSeek means for questions of US AI supremacy, the efficacy of export restrictions, and whether we might see more on open source in the months to come.    They also predict what the future for DeepSeek might hold, and how it will interact with existing and forthcoming regulatory framework...

Ana Gradinaru, Director and Jack Keevill, Associate Director in our Brussels office explore the recent developments surrounding social media regulation in the EU, particularly focusing on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the reactions from major tech figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.    They highlight the implications of the DSA for online platforms, the investigations launch...

This week on Top in Tech, Director Megan Stagman and Senior Practice Director Conan D'Arcy predict what we should expect as the biggest global tech policy trends for 2025. They explore the growing rift between American tech companies and European policymakers (and what the future might hold for the Musk-Trump alliance), consider where we might see more tech multilateralism as opposed to increasing...

This week on Top in Tech, Director Megan Stagman and Senior Associate Josh Bates explore the UK communications regulator Ofcom’s recently published illegal harms codes and the regulator’s broader efforts to implement the UK’s new online safety regime. They also assess the extent of the appetite in both government and parliament for further regulation, and how geopolitics and international influenc...

In this episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director and Ugonma Nwankwo, Senior Associate in our Tech, media and telecoms practice discuss the Biden administration’s new export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment, technologies critical for AI development and military applications. They break down the key features of the restrictions,...

Conan D'Arcy, Senior Practice Director, and Adriana Capparelli, Director, unpack the Commissioner hearings taking place in Brussels, where prospective Commissioners have faced a grilling from Members of the European Parliament. They explore the performances of the digital Commissioners, what we have learned about the upcoming EU tech agenda and explore how the election of Donald Trump might collid...

In this episode, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Fergus Cameron-Watt to discuss the implications of the recent UK budget on the technology sector. They explore the political landscape, the budget's impact on tech investment, public sector digitisation, and the effects of taxation on start-ups and investors. They also touch on the Conservative Party's approach to technology policy under new leadership. H...

As AI uptake surges, policymakers and industry alike have woken up to the reality that its energy demand will soon outstrip the current number and capacity of data centres. However, there are significant obstacles to addressing this challenge, with concerns about insufficient grid connections, the emissions and energy efficiency of data centres, and opposition from local communities. This week on...

In this episode, Conan D'Arcy and Ugonma Nwankwo discuss the failure of California’s SB 1047, a bill aimed at mitigating the potential catastrophic risks posed by future advanced AI systems. They break down the bill’s key provisions, its overall significance, the reasoning behind Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto, and the broader implications for AI regulation in the US and globally. The debate around...

This week on Top in Tech, fresh from the UK Labour Party Conference, Director Megan Stagman and Senior Associate Josh Bates discuss their insights from their time in Liverpool. They cover the broad conclusions from the conference, including the key announcements for the tech sector, the feeling on the ground towards both the government and the DSIT ministerial team, and their thoughts on the up-an...

Conan D'Arcy and Jack Keevill, Associate Director in our Brussels office, unpack the Draghi Report and its implications for the tech and telecoms sectors in the EU. The report, which will shape the policy agenda of the next von der Leyen Commission, calls for a radical overhaul of the EU's economic and fiscal policies. It has also a flurry of recommendations on the future of the telecoms market, c...

On Tuesday, the US Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act with an overwhelming majority, advancing the package to the House, where their future remains uncertain. In this week’s episode of Top in Tech, Conan D’Arcy and Ugonma Nwankwo discuss the significance of these bills, the challenges they face in passing the House, and the poten...

This week on Top in Tech Jack Keevill is joined by Conan D'Arcy to discuss the implications for the EU's tech policy now that Ursula von der Leyen has secured a second term as European Commission president. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Associate Theresa Duemchen is joined by GC Germany Director Mohamed Hamzé to discuss key tech and digital policy issues in Germany. They focus on three key agenda items for the traffic light coalition: public sector digitisation, decoupling from China, and the implementation of European regulations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Senior Practice Director Conan D'Arcy and Director Megan Stagman discuss the anticipated impact of the new Labour government on technology policy. They cover the ministerial appointments so far, what we should expect from the King's speech, and the tussle between different departments for ownership of certain briefs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

This week on Top in Tech, Natasha Dixon is joined by Ana Gradinaru to discuss the current state of play in French politics ahead of the final round of legislative elections this Sunday (7 July). They discuss the results of the first round, efforts to quell the rise of the far right, President Macron's legacy and what a new government could mean for the tech sector.  Hosted on Acast. See acast...

Next month Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU under unprecedented circumstances. This week on Top in Tech Ana Gradinaru is joined by Natasha Dixon to discuss the much-anticipated Presidency, considering the country's isolated position in the EU, its priorities and the implications for EU tech policy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

This week on Top in Tech, with three weeks to go until the UK's General Election, Senior Practice Director Conan D'Arcy is joined by Senior Associate Russell Lamb to discuss the Labour Party's manifesto. They talk about Labour's overall strategy with this manifesto and dive into what tech policies have made it in, those that haven't, and what the key priorities for a potential new government might...

This week on Top in Tech, Ana Gradinaru is joined by Jack Keevill to discuss the EU elections resulting in a solid win for the European People's Party (EPP), familiar names in tech policy returning to the European Parliament, what this means for the EU's tech and digital agenda, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech Director Megan Stagman is joined by Senior Associate Josh Bates to discuss the impact of last week's general election announcement in the UK on existing tech legislation, pending bills and future commitments. They explore what the next five weeks - and beyond - might look like for digital competition, data policy, online safety, media regulation and more.  Hosted on A...

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Keith Zhai, Senior Adviser at Global Counsel and former senior China correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, to discuss Chinese domestic tech policy, and the motivations and the legacy of the "tech crackdown" by Chinese authorities. They also explore the impact of US-China decoupling, the impact of US policy on China's tech competitiveness and...

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Ugonma Nwankwo to discuss the recent meetings between the United States and China on AI safety and risk management. They provide an overview of the current state of US-China tech relations, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts despite underlying mutual distrust. They also discuss the potential US government restrictions on AI models that could...

This week on Top in Tech, Ana Gradinaru is joined by Natasha Dixon to explore the importance of the implementation phase of the AI Act and how it could transform the text into one with more clarity and technical detail. They discuss the key actors involved in its implementation, the various legislative and non-legislative tools that guide the process and the infamous AI Pact.  Hosted on Acast...

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D’Arcy is joined by Josh Bates to discuss the debate in the UK on the next wave of regulation after the Online Safety Act (OSA). They explore the implementation of the Online Safety Act, the government's (lack of) consultation on social media restrictions, the debate on children's access to smartphones in schools, and the need for international collaboration on age...

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Alondra Nelson, the former White House adviser who helped shape the AI Bill of Rights. They discuss the Biden Administration’s approach to AI regulation, the role of federal agencies and the prospect of Congressional legislation, and the durability of AI policies under a potential future administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...