Technology, Digital Transition and AI: Politics and Governance in the EU

"The digital transformation of Europe is increasingly shaped by emerging and disruptive technological innovations, growing geopolitical competition, and urgent governance dilemmas. As the European Union (EU) strives to strengthen its regulatory initiatives, industrial capacity, and strategic autonomy, the intersection of technology, digital policies, and artificial intelligence (AI) has become a defining field of inquiry for both scholars and policymakers. This section invites papers that critically interrogate how the EU develops, implements, and projects its digital and AI policies within and beyond its borders. It seeks to bring together interdisciplinary research that addresses the EU’s evolving role as a digital regulator, economic and security actor, as well as its normative and regulatory power, especially in relation to other global players, such as great powers and corporate giants. Key questions include: How are EU institutions, member states, and private actors negotiating the balance between innovation, competitiveness, and regulation in the digital domain? To what extent can the EU’s regulatory frameworks, such as the AI Act, the Digital Services Act, the Chips Act, and the Data Governance Act, among others, as well as initiatives like the Quantum Europe Strategy, provide a coherent response to technological disruption, while safeguarding democratic values and fundamental rights? How do these frameworks interact with broader debates on diplomacy, digital sovereignty, resilience, and economic security? Furthermore, how does the EU position itself within transatlantic relations and vis-à-vis global competitors, such as China, where technology governance is increasingly intertwined with strategic competition? How are more traditional policy areas impacted by these developments, for instance in the field migration, border control, trade, diplomacy, security or the single market? We particularly welcome contributions that explore: Critical theoretical and empirical dimensions of EU digital and AI governance, as well as other emerging digital technologies. The impact of EU initiatives on global digital rule-making, diplomacy, and the geopolitics of dual-use emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) like AI. The tensions between regulation, innovation, and industrial policy in the European context. The role of public-private partnerships and industry actors in shaping EU technology policies. The cross-cutting impact of EU digital and Ai governance on other EU policies such as competition, security, migration, fundamental rights, foreign policy etc. Comparative, critical, and interdisciplinary approaches linking security studies, political economy, international relations, and science and technology studies. This section aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovative theoretical contributions, while also providing a platform for empirical research grounded in case studies, institutional analysis, or policy evaluation. By examining the EU’s multifaceted approach to digital governance and AI, the section and its panels aim to unpack the Union’s ability to act in a rapidly evolving technological and geopolitical landscape. In doing so, they foreground the promises and limitations of the EU’s regulatory power in shaping Europe’s digital future, including broader debates on global governance, democracy, and security in the digital age."