Sovereign European AI, our webinar on sovereign AI and critical thinking is now online

Can AI make us think more sharply instead of lazier? That question was central to our English-language webinar Sovereign European AI that strengthens critical thinking, on Wednesday 4 November during the European AI Innovation Month. Together with Daniel Verloop, I spent an hour showing what sovereign European AI looks like in practice, and why it matters for the way we think. The recording is now online as a 36-minute compilation with chapters, so you can jump straight to the part that interests you.

Sovereignty and critical thinking are the same design question

Our core message is simple. Whoever controls the environment determines what the AI is optimised for. Free tools profit from attention and data, so longer chatting is the goal, not better thinking. AI designed for thinking first asks a question in return before giving an answer. That is only possible if, as an organisation, you are in control.

For us, sovereignty means that data remains under your control, on European infrastructure. We run open models with our partner Scaleway in France, with a backup in Amsterdam, and do not use your data to train models. The GDPR and the European AI Act are not a brake for us, but the quality framework with which we design EduGPT, GovGPT, OrgGPT and CareGPT.

What you see in the video

In a live demo, I ask the Writing Coach in EduGPT to write an essay about Area 51, with spelling mistakes so the teacher won’t notice. The Writing Coach politely refuses and asks what I already know myself. After that, I show the HEAR framework: Human intent, Expressive interaction, AI mediation and Reasoned responsibility, as a compass to review your own AI use. Daniel explains why productive friction is so important. AI should empower people, not automate them.

The questions from the chat are also addressed. Can I log in with my school account? Is saying no to AI still an option? And how do you differ from EduGenAI? Honest questions that deserve an honest answer. We are pleased with all the initiatives in the Netherlands, and our door is wide open for collaboration. Europe becomes stronger when we build together. Finally, I show how you can create your own AI Companion with the Prompt Companion, and we conclude with three practical steps for your organisation.

Four short Shorts

No 36 minutes to spare? Then first watch one of the four Shorts from the webinar, each less than a minute long.

Chinese AI models in Europe, where does your data go?

Ask this AI to write your essay, and it says no.

Who determines what your AI is optimised for?

Empower people, don’t automate them.

Thank you

Many thanks to everyone who watched live, participated in the environment, and asked questions in the chat. And Daniel, thank you for co-presenting and keeping the conversation sharp.

Keen to continue with AI literacy? At academy.civai.eu you will find free short lessons, currently still in Dutch and from early 2027 also in English. If you want to know what EduGPT, GovGPT, OrgGPT or CareGPT can mean for your organisation, visit civai.eu or contact us.

Europe does not have to choose between innovation and thinking. Never stop learning, especially in an age of AI.

Image, still from the introduction of the webinar compilation