Top in Tech

On this week's episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman is joined by Conan D'Arcy, Senior Practice Director, and Chris Levy, Head of Research and Insight, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of online safety regulation, alongside the launch of our new original research report.Based on our recently-conducted opinion research, they explore public concerns driving the policy conversation—from child protection to misinformation and encryption—and what the report reveals about geographic differences and political dynamics shaping the global agenda.They also anticipate how future legislation could unfold across jurisdictions, and how it might intersect with broader regulatory frameworks on privacy, data protection, and platform responsibility.Read the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli and Robyn Staveley discuss the recent surge in European defence spending, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They explore the implications of increased budgets on defence technology, procurement strategies, and the role of both traditional and new suppliers in the defence sector. They also discuss the importance of technological innovation, the need for collaboration between EU and UK defence strategies, and the challenges posed by satellite infrastructure and data sovereignty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this bonus episode of Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Ellison Anne Williams, CEO of Enveil, and Harry Palmer, Associate Director at Global Counsel, to discuss the report 'Breaking barriers: how data sharing can transform the fight against economic crime'. They explore the challenges and recommendations for improving data sharing practices to combat economic crime, emphasizing the role of privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) in facilitating secure data collaboration between public and private sectors. Ellison-Anne and Harry also explore the current landscape of economic crime in the UK and the potential for innovative solutions to enhance data sharing efforts.Read the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli and Jack Keevill discuss the new EU Commission Work Program, highlighting its focus on simplification, competitiveness, and security in response to geopolitical dynamics. They explore the implications of various initiatives, the complexity of tech policy, and the impact of withdrawn proposals on stakeholders. The conversation also touches on the potential effects of the work program on transatlantic relations and the tech sector's future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 frameworks around safety, data protection, intellectual property and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 launched against them, and the political dynamics within the EU institutions as they navigate the challenges posed by big tech. They also share their predictions for future developments in this ongoing issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 divergence, and discuss what the emerging technology of the year might be - with satellites, digital ID and quantum all possible contenders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 influence might shape the new trajectory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, potential loopholes and challenges that could lessen their impact, and what to anticipate from the incoming Trump administration on China and export controls. In response to the new restrictions, China moved to immediately restrict the export of critical raw materials to the US escalating the tech war and exasperating trade tensions only a few weeks before President-elect Trump is set to take office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 collide with the EU's plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Top in Tech, Megan Stagman is joined by Natasha Dixon to discuss these challenges and some of the innovative commercial and policy solutions that will impact the future of AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SB 1047 has highlighted divisions among industry stakeholders, including revealing which types of regulations some companies are open to and which they oppose—a dynamic that lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are watching closely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-and-coming MPs within the digital policy space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, cloud computing, AI and semi-conductors. They also explore where Draghi's policy proposals match his ambitious rhetoric, where they do not, and which sectors will stand to benefit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 potential state of US child online safety and privacy in 2025 if the bills do not pass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 information.

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.com/privacy for more information.

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 information.

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 be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 how China might respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 impact China and AI developers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 verification. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Director Megan Stagman is joined by Senior Associate Russell Lamb to discuss what comes after Bletchley Park for international AI diplomacy, what the future is for some of the key outputs of the summits (e.g. the 'State of Science' report and the Safety Institutes), and the overall significance of international tech diplomacy for advancing AI safety efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Director Ana Gradinaru is joined by Associate Natasha Dixon to discuss the origins and policy ambition of the Digital Fairness Act, the need for a concrete legislative proposal, and the potential measures in the Digital Fairness Act. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Dedi Dinarto to discuss the results of the Indonesian election and the role of tech and AI in the electoral process. They explore the use of social media and messaging platforms for political campaigning, the growing use of generative AI by candidates, and the extent to which the spread of misinformation and deepfakes shaped the elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the European elections approach, Director Ana Gradinaru is joined by Associate Director Jack Keevill to discuss the progress the von der Leyen Commission has made in passing tech legislation and delivering "Europe Fit for the Digital Age" and how these initiatives are shaping Europe's tech sector and its competitiveness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Ana Gradinaru. They discussed the major concern of disinformation from Russia during the European elections, the legal obligation imposed by the Digital Services Act on platforms to mitigate risks related to electoral processes, and potential future developments including reforms to the GDPR and the introduction of the Digital Fairness Act.This episode is the third in a three-part series on the tech sector and the 2024 elections. Global Counsel recently published a report that analyzes the challenges facing social media companies against a backdrop of alarm about the growth in deepfakes, new legislation governing what companies can and cannot take down, and growing political scrutiny of the individual content moderation decisions they take. Download the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan is joined by Megan to cover topics such as how platforms will be expected to handle electoral content online, concerns about the risk of generative AI to democracy, and the most immediate policy priorities of a potential incoming Labour government (including on regulatory innovation and employment rights).This episode is the second in a three-part series on the tech sector and the 2024 elections. Last week, Global Counsel published a report that analyzes the challenges facing social media companies against a backdrop of alarm about the growth in deepfakes, new legislation governing what companies can and cannot take down, and growing political scrutiny of the individual content moderation decisions they take. Download the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Ugonma Nwankwo to discuss the political debates tech companies have to navigate as central players in the modern electoral process. They identify how events from the Cambridge Analytica scandal to the de-platforming of former President Trump from top social media sites have contributed to politicizing the role of tech platforms and the political discourse surrounding them. They also discuss a looming Supreme Court decision that might impact how the industry moderates elections-related content, and what companies can likely expect under a Republican presidency on issues such as China, AI, platform liability, and antitrust.This episode is the first in a three-part series on the tech sector and the 2024 elections. This week, Global Counsel published a report that analyzes the challenges facing social media companies against a backdrop of alarm about the growth in deepfakes, new legislation governing what companies can and cannot take down, and growing political scrutiny of the individual content moderation decisions they take. Download the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech Conan is joined by Senior Adviser Seema Kennedy to discuss the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, third-party litigation funding within the Bill, why it matters to the tech sector, and which other sectors could be impacted by the amendments in the bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an increasingly competitive regional landscape, the UAE emerges as a focal point for AI investment and innovation. Last week at the World Government Summit in Dubai, UAE's Minister of State for AI, Omar al-Ulama, backed OpenAI's statements that the country can become a global leader in testing regulation for AI technology. To talk about this and more, Conan is joined by Senior Associate Sewar Quran. They talk about AI policy in the Middle East and the growing spotlight on the UAE, both in terms of policy development and its interplay with geopolitics.If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. You can also subscribe to immediately receive new episodes of 'Top in Tech' on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also leave us a rating and a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Megan Stagman is joined by Theresa Duemchen to discuss the UK government announcement about how it plans to approach AI regulation. They explore the contents of the announcement (including both the voluntary and potential mandatory obligations for companies in this space); the various new consultations that will be opened on issues like copyright and cybersecurity; how the government plans to adopt AI for itself in the public sector; and what happens to all of these policies in the context of a general election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan is joined by Ugonma to discuss child online safety and privacy in the United States, following a dramatic hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. While there is momentum for passing legislation, the likelihood of it happening in the near future is unlikely due to a myriad of factors, including the limited election-year legislative window. The Biden administration is taking some action through interagency task forces and proposed changes to the Federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. Meanwhile, states are actively pursuing their own child safety laws; however, these efforts are increasingly running to legal hurdles. If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. You can also subscribe to immediately receive new episodes of 'Top in Tech' on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also leave us a rating and a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan is joined by Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai to talk about the economic and commercial dynamics of Southeast Asia, the development of the region's tech sector and how local technology platforms are competing with their Chinese and American peers. They discuss the impact of US-China decoupling on investment flows into the region, what that means for the tech sector and the dynamics of "reshoring" and "friendshoring". They also discuss tech regulation and the so-called "Brussels effect" on the region.If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. You can also subscribe to immediately receive new episodes of 'Top in Tech' on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also leave us a rating and a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director for UK tech policy, is joined by Associate Josh Bates to talk about their time at the World Economic Forum's 2024 annual meeting in Davos. They cover the changes in Davos they have witnessed over the years, the heightened focus on tech policy debates, and the attendance of a new generation of tech leaders. The conversation concludes with advice for any listeners planning to attend Davos for themselves and how to make the most of your time there. If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Megan, Josh or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. You can also subscribe to immediately receive new episodes of 'Top in Tech' on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also leave us a rating and a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French politics is in a state of flux following Emmanuel Macron's high stakes cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of Gabriel Attal, France's youngest ever PM. These changes come at a time where France is the leading EU member state in regulating tech. This week on Top in Tech, Conan is joined by Ana Gradinaru, Director for Tech policy at Global Counsel, to talk about the ups and the downs of the reshuffle, what it means for the tech agenda, and where we are on French digital legislation.If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan, or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. You can also subscribe to immediately receive new episodes of 'Top in Tech' on your favourite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can also leave us a rating and a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Joe Armitage, GC's Lead Analyst on UK politics, to talk us through the collapse of Adobe's acquisition of Figma, the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) role in it and the political fallout in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan Stagman is joined by Conan D'Arcy to talk through the top tech policy trends in 2024 against the backdrop of major elections in the US, EU, India, the UK and elsewhere. They identify five key issues which will set the agenda in global tech policy this year and shape the policy and regulatory environment for businesses and investors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI has become a prominent policy area across Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, as policymakers work to educate themselves on the technology while crafting legislation, frameworks, and other measures to balance innovation against the potential risks while also prioritizing national security. Conan D'Arcy is joined by Ugonma Nwankwo to discuss the latest developments in US AI policy, including President Biden's AI Executive Order, the political and funding dynamics impacting the success of AI legislation and initiatives, and the type of AI legislation most likely to advance in the near term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest episode of Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by the Chief Digital Officer for London, Theo Blackwell, who outlines his views on the state of play of efforts to digitize public services in London, other cities and in Whitehall, where the next government should reform the National Data Strategy and the implied trade-offs with privacy and data protection.If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Senior Associate Jack Keevill to discuss the future of disinformation policy. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) was created in part to tackle the problem of disinformation – which is now reaching record levels in view of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and increasing global geopolitical tension. The many national and European elections looming in 2024 could present a new and tempting target for malicious actors looking to exploit online platforms' reach. They ask the question: is Europe ready? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Conan D'Arcy is joined by Senior Associate Russell Lamb to explore how the global community is tackling the taxation of large digital companies. The OECD has spearheaded negotiations for over a decade on how to combat the issue of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), but ahead of a critical year-end deadline, are the talks losing steam? Conan and Russell discuss the underlying geopolitics and what might lie ahead for both businesses and governments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senior Practice Director Conan D'Arcy and Associate Natasha Dixon discuss the latest developments in the EU AI Act negotiations, including potential compromises on foundation models and biometric identification. They weigh in on the million dollar question: will negotiators be able to overcome their differences and reach an agreement by the end of the year?If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest episode of Top in Tech, Conan D'Arcy is joined by DRCF CEO, Kate Jones, for a wide-ranging conversation on the UK's AI summit, implementation of the AI White Paper, challenges of auditing algorithms, and on the policy challenges and future focus of the DRCF.If you or your business are exposed to the trends discussed in this episode, you can reach out to Conan or the wider Global Counsel team by clicking here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.