A couple weeks ago, in Brussels, the Hacktivate AI policy hackathon brought together policymakers, researchers and technologists to design practical tools for Europe’s AI transition. First of its kind, the event focused not on theoretical debates, but on concrete ideas that could make Europe faster, fairer, and more effective in adopting Artificial Intelligence. The hackathon was organized around seven thematic tracks, each tackling a crucial bottleneck in the continent, from workforce skills and technical infrastructure to governance and innovation ecosystems.
In just one day, interdisciplinary teams produced in total 20 actionable policy proposals that reimagine how Europe can harness AI responsibly. Today, OpenAI has published the report that gathers all of these ideas, which included Individual AI Learning Accounts and Employer AI Training Credits, which could democratize upskilling for citizens and companies alike. Others, like Data & Compute Exchange and Applied AI Booster, aim to strengthen the continent’s technological backbone by improving access to data, compute, and applied research. Meanwhile, the Operational Agentic Heroes concept envisioned AI-driven assistants embedded in public administrations to accelerate digital transformation.
The proposals also reached beyond technical measures. The AI Readiness Index and Real-Time LLM Monitor would allow governments to assess progress and safety in real time, while Relentless Harmonisation and Innovative Institutions underscored the need for flexible governance that can evolve with the technology. Finally, the Ecosystem Collaboration track highlighted Europe’s potential to become a hub for responsible AI growth through initiatives their proposers (creatively) named as EUasis and Draghi’s Den, which would attract capital and talent across the continent.
At the end of the day, the message of the Hacktivate event was clear: Europe doesn’t lack ideas! When turning these prototypes into real policies, the region can move from cautious regulation to leadership in AI adoption. Thus rather than fearing disruption, the event’s participants envisioned a Europe where AI fuels inclusion, innovation, and collective progress, proving that the continent’s next digital chapter can be ethical and ambitious at the same time.