Berkeley, CA — June 5, 2025 — The Global Innovation Forum convened a conversation on the future of artificial intelligence policy at this year’s TechCrunch AI Sessions, with the panel “The AI Policy Playbook: What Global Startups Need to Know.” The session brought together top government leaders from the European Union and the United Kingdom to discuss how regulation can drive innovation while safeguarding global values.
Moderated by Hua Wang, Executive Director of the Global Innovation Forum, the panel featured:
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Gerard de Graaf, Senior Tech Envoy to the U.S. and Head of the EU Office in San Francisco, who emphasized the EU’s regulatory leadership on AI built on trust and transparency.
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Matthew Caron, Deputy Director for Technology at the UK Department for Business and Trade, who highlighted the UK’s commitment to innovation through flexible and collaborative regulatory frameworks.
Key takeaways included:
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Smart regulation as a competitive advantage for startups;
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The importance of transatlantic cooperation in shaping global AI standards;
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The need for inclusive policymaking that integrates the voices of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“As AI policy evolves globally, startups and SMEs must have a seat at the table,” said Wang. “Events like this create critical bridges between innovators and policymakers.”
GIF looks forward to continuing to support a diverse global startup ecosystem as they navigate emerging tech and policy landscapes.