On this week’s episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director, UK TMT, is joined by Charlie Norell, Senior Associate in GC's Health & Life Sciences practice, to unpack the UK’s recently published 10-Year Health Plan and what it means for the future of healthcare innovation. They explore how the Plan aims to reshape the NHS, with a focus on the government's desired shift from analogue to digital and harnessing the latest technologies. They reflect on next steps for the proposed Single Patien...
Jul 15, 2025•31 min
On this week’s episode of Top in Tech , Adriana Capparelli, Practice Director, is joined by Emilie Kerstens, Senior Associate, and Anna Lisa Schäfer-Gehrau, Associate, to unpack the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its growing significance for EU-US relations in the tech and trade space. They explore how the DMA is shaping Europe’s digital regulatory landscape and creating new tensions with US policymakers, who view the framework as disproportionately targeting American firms. The discussion covers...
Jul 04, 2025•19 min
On this week’s episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director, is joined by Fergus Cameron-Watt, Senior Associate, to unpack the UK government’s recent spending review and its implications for the tech sector. Megan and Fergus explore how the Spending Review reflects the government’s shifting priorities, with notable gains for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the backing of the new sovereign AI unit. They assess what these developments mean for start-ups, digital...
Jun 19, 2025•28 min
On this week’s episode of Top in Tech , Adriana Capparelli , Practice Director for Technology, Media and Telecoms, is joined by Senior Associates Natasha Dixon and Russell Lam b to unpack one of the most complex policy dilemmas in today’s tech landscape: copyright in the age of artificial intelligence. They explore the current UK and EU approaches to balancing creator protections with AI innovation, as policymakers grapple with how to regulate the use of copyrighted material in training AI syste...
Jun 06, 2025•33 min
On this week’s episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director, is joined by GC MENA Adviser Aliyah Dar to unpack the key technology and investment developments emerging from US President Donald Trump’s recent tour of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. They recap the key announcements coming out of the trip - including a new AI campus in Abu Dhabi and increased Saudi investment in US tech firms - and evaluate how this divergence from prior US policy on export restrictions might play domestically. ...
May 22, 2025•20 min
On this week’s episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli , Director, is joined by Senior Associates Natasha Dixon and Fergus Cameron Watt , along with Philipp Mühl , Associate Director, to explore the complex and fast-evolving landscape of digital sovereignty across Europe. Together, they unpack how Germany, France, and the UK are approaching digital sovereignty through different political, strategic, and technological lenses. From the role of artificial intelligence to the use of public procur...
May 08, 2025•34 min
On this week's episode of Top in Tech, Adriana Capparelli , Director in our Tech, media and telecoms team is joined by Natasha Dixon , Senior Associate, to unpack the European Commission’s newly released AI Continent Action Plan and what it means for businesses, policymakers, and the broader tech ecosystem. Together, they explore the plan’s five central pillars - from compute infrastructure and data, to AI adoption, talent and legislative simplification - and assess how these priorities aim to b...
Apr 10, 2025•24 min
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 differ...
Mar 27, 2025•31 min
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, ...
Mar 13, 2025•23 min
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...
Feb 28, 2025•31 min
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...
Feb 20, 2025•21 min
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...
Feb 06, 2025•26 min
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 b...
Jan 23, 2025•20 min
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, digita...
Jan 09, 2025•34 min
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....
Dec 19, 2024•26 min
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 ...
Dec 05, 2024•21 min
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....
Nov 21, 2024•20 min
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....
Nov 07, 2024•19 min
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 in...
Oct 24, 2024•20 min
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 re...
Oct 10, 2024•29 min
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 inform...
Sep 26, 2024•28 min
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 ...
Sep 12, 2024•25 min
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 a...
Aug 01, 2024•25 min
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.
Jul 25, 2024•24 min
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.
Jul 18, 2024•23 min
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.
Jul 11, 2024•23 min
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.
Jul 04, 2024•22 min
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.
Jun 27, 2024•21 min
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....
Jun 20, 2024•25 min
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.
Jun 13, 2024•15 min
