Teresa Ribera Affirms the EU’s Role as a Global Public Good at IE University

In their conversation, Vice-President Ribera emphasized that we are living through a turbulent rebalancing of the global order, a time when mutual cooperation and respect for the rule of law will be crucial to ensure prosperity and peace. In this context, she called Europeans to continue building a stronger Union, keeping in mind our values and principles and promoting a renewed European Dream. “I feel proud of Europe,” she stated. “We have things to improve, but we have an inspiring and powerful model that can serve as a global public good.”

Dean Letta also referenced that we are witnessing the reshaping of the world order. In a context in which Xi Jinping is calling for a full integration of the Chinese internal market, “in Europe we need to do the same, but faster,” he said. There is a formal commitment to integrate the single market by 2028, he reminded the audience, but in his view this decision needs to be communicated more effectively. He also alerted that Europe is lagging behind the US in terms of mobilization of investment on innovation, particularly when it comes to private investment. Dean Letta called for a new EU-wide legal regime for innovators, researchers and startups.

The discussion, moderated by Irene Blázquez, Director of the CGC, was part of the launch of AI4DemocraticProsperity, an initiative led by the CGC in partnership with Microsoft that aims to explore how AI can strengthen democracy and promote shared prosperity worldwide.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Manuel Muñiz, Provost of IE University, who underscored the need to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in an increasingly fragmented world.

Katarina Wallin Bureau, Head for EU Strategic Relations at Microsoft, introduced the AI4DemocraticProsperity initiative, highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to supporting the generation and dissemination of knowledge on how AI can be leveraged to make democratic systems and economies more inclusive.