08.10.26 | CAIRNE | FORUM #1: European Language Models — Status, Goals and Politics
23 September 2026 | 16:00–17:00 CEST | Online
On 23 September, CAIRNE launches CAIRNE | FORUM, a new invitation-only briefing series bringing leading voices in European AI together with CAIRNE Gold Members to discuss the strategic questions shaping Europe’s AI future.
Held under the Chatham House Rule, the Forum is designed to move beyond the usual public talking points and create space for candid discussion and open exchange.
The first session will examine the current state of European language models and ask what Europe needs to build next.
Speakers
Kristian Kersting
Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at TU Darmstadt, Founding Co-Director of hessian.AI and Head of the Foundations of Systems AI Department at DFKI.
Jörg Bienert
Managing Director of LEAM GmbH and Head of the Center for Sovereign AI (CESAI).
Bringing together research and industry perspectives and drawing on the experience of SOOFI, the discussion will explore:
- Where Europe currently stands in the development of language models
- What Europe is getting right and where important gaps remain
- The future of sovereign and open European AI models
- The idea of a “CERN for AI 2.0”
- The need for a safe and trusted European environment in which advanced AI models can be developed and openly released
Event details
Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Time: 16:00–17:00 CEST
Location: Online
Format: Invitation only, under the Chatham House Rule
CAIRNE | FORUM is exclusively available to CAIRNE Gold Members and selected invited guests. Gold Member contacts have received the registration invitation directly by email.
