AI Policy × Innovation: Europe's Hard Choices on AI Implementation

Europe is writing the rules for AI. The question is whether it can also build the tools. On 23 March, the CIVICA EU AI Hack and Hertie AI Policy Initiative, hosted at Ojin AixHaus, are convening a small group of practitioners, technologists, and students to dig into that tension - and what it actually takes to close the gap between AI governance on paper and AI governance in practice. This evening is the opening event of the CIVICA EU AI Hackathon - a three-day student-led hackathon taking place 17–19 April 2026 in Berlin, organized by students from Hertie School, IE Madrid, and SNSPA Bucharest. Before the teams get to work, this pre-hack evening sets the stage: a candid, practitioner-led conversation about the real state of AI governance in Europe, built around three fault lines running through it right now: Public infrastructure: How do governments modernise fast enough to matter, without deepening dependence on American big tech?Automated decisions: What does meaningful accountability look like when AI is making high-stakes calls about people's lives?Democratic integrity: Can European institutions defend against AI-powered disinformation while still giving innovators room to move? No long keynotes. No slides. Speakers from civil society, policy, academia, and enterprise will share what they're actually seeing - the real constraints, the hidden leverage points, and the ideas that might stick. If you care about how Europe implements AI, not just how it regulates it, this is the room to be in. This event is open to all AI Governance and Innovation enthusiasts - not just students or hack participants. Schedule 🚪 18:30 — Doors open. Grab a drink, find your people.🎙️ 19:00 — Welcome & framing💬 19:10–19:50 — Panel discussion🔵 19:50–20:10 — Small group conversations❓ 20:10–20:30 — Open Q&A🍽️ 20:30–21:00 — Food & networking Capacity is limited. Come ready to contribute. Speakers: Hussam Al Erhayel — Head of Projects, Better Politics Foundation Hussam leads programmes at the Better Politics Foundation working to help politicians embrace tools and processes that give citizens greater decision-making power. He brings a civil society lens on democratic innovation, political trust, and what it takes to reimagine political leadership for the 21st century. Michael Bornholdt — Senior AI Solutions Architect, Merantix Momentum Michael works at the intersection of AI strategy and enterprise implementation, and has previously led conference programming on the societal threats and opportunities of AI. He brings a practitioner's view on what it actually takes to deploy AI solutions in complex, real-world organisational contexts. Justus Baumann — Managing Director, Future Matters Justus leads a think tank focused on science-based strategies against global catastrophic risks, advising high-profile AI governance initiatives across the US, UK, and EU. He brings a strategic policy lens on how AI governance organisations communicate risk, build coalitions, and turn research into durable policy change — having coordinated organisations at the UK AI Safety Summit. Regina Overchyk — Innovation Ecosystem Builder & AI Safety Researcher Regina has spent 13+ years designing incubators, accelerators, and venture studios that have supported 100+ startups across deep tech, sustainability, and emerging markets. She brings a foresight and tech anthropology perspective on how we build AI innovation that anticipates societal impact rather than reacting to it. About Ojin AixHaus Ojin AixHaus is the new AI Playground in Berlin. A collaborative community space where scientists, machine learning engineers, founders, creators, and AI enthusiasts come together to build the future of AI. Ojin AixHaus is free to join, open for startups in residency applications, and currently curating their 2026 events calendar. If you have a burning idea for an event, meetup, or hackathon — bring your fire, they bring the space! Find out more: Ojin AixHaus Community Follow Ojin AixHaus: Instagram · LinkedIn · X