Transatlantic Bridge Conference 2026 to address key global challenges, from economic and democratic resilience to AI

Democratic resilience, European security, artificial intelligence governance, economic resilience, financial stability, and shifting global power dynamics will lie at the center of debate at the Transatlantic Bridge Conference 2026 (TAB), co-hosted by Johns Hopkins University (School of Advanced International Studies), IE University (School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs), Sciences Po (Paris School of International Affairs), and Yale University (Jackson School of Global Affairs). The two-day gathering will take place May 29–30 at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe campus in Bologna.

At a moment marked by geopolitical fragmentation, democratic pressures, technological disruption, and changing global power balances, the TAB conference brings together scholars, policymakers, journalists, and practitioners to examine how political, economic, security, and technological transformations are reshaping the transatlantic relationship.

"In a period of profound international change, institutions have a responsibility to create spaces for serious dialogue and critical thinking," said Renaud Dehousse, Rector of SAIS Europe and Vice Dean of SAIS. "Bologna has long served as a crossroads of ideas and international exchange, making it an ideal setting to strengthen transatlantic understanding at a time when cooperation remains essential." 

"The transatlantic relationship remains central to international stability, but it faces growing challenges—from security and economic competition to technological disruption and democratic pressures,” added James B. Steinberg, Dean of Johns Hopkins SAIS. “Bringing together leading thinkers and practitioners to engage these issues is central to our mission."

This year’s discussions will examine the future of European defense, artificial intelligence governance, economic resilience and trade nationalism, financial governance, democratic systems under strain, and the implications of global power shifts, including evolving approaches toward China and the Indo-Pacific. Participants will explore how these interconnected challenges are testing longstanding institutions, alliances, and assumptions.

"Economic change, security challenges, and technological disruption increasingly shape one another," said James Levinsohn, Dean of the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. “Understanding those connections is essential to navigating a more uncertain global environment."

Arancha González Laya, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po, added: "As the transatlantic relation faces growing political strain, forums like this help strengthen understanding, build bridges and promote euro-atlantic resilience at a moment of profound international change." 

Enrico Letta, Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs and former Prime Minister of Italy, highlighted: "Europe faces an era in which economic resilience, technological capacity, and competitiveness are no longer simply economic objectives—they have become strategic imperatives. The transatlantic relationship remains indispensable, but it must adapt to a world increasingly shaped by fragmentation, industrial competition, and shifting global power dynamics."

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the conference provides a confidential setting for open exchange and informed debate. Its purpose is not to reach formal conclusions, but to clarify perspectives, test assumptions, and deepen understanding across disciplines, sectors, and political viewpoints. Reflecting a shared commitment among the four partner institutions, the conference aims to strengthen informed dialogue at a time when sustaining a resilient transatlantic partnership matters more than ever.