Lisbon Web Summit 2024 debates Trump’s potential impact on tech

• The Lisbon Web Summit 2024 gathers tech leaders and European officials to discuss Trump’s potential influence on AI, social media, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
• Ukrainian tech executives highlight resilience and innovation amid conflict, voicing mixed feelings on Trump’s stance on resolving the war.

What happened

This week, the Lisbon Web Summit 2024 opened its doors as Europe’s largest tech event, drawing industry leaders and policymakers to discuss critical global issues. With Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House as a major topic, executives from Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, along with European officials, are debating its implications on social media regulation, artificial intelligence, and stability across Europe.

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The summit is also focusing on Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, in light of Trump’s promise that he could end the war with Russia within 24 hours if re-elected. Ukrainian officials Alex Bornyakov and Mykhailo Fedorov are expected to address how Ukraine’s tech sector has managed to innovate despite the challenges of war. John Adam, chief revenue officer of Aimsoftpro—a firm with a significant workforce still based in Ukraine—shared mixed feelings on Trump’s approach, expressing both resilience and a hope for an eventual resolution.

Why this is important

The conversations taking place at Web Summit highlight the far-reaching impact of political decisions on the tech sector and international relations. Trump’s return could reshape policies on AI and social media regulation, with ripple effects expected across tech and political landscapes in Europe and beyond.

For Ukraine, the implications are even more immediate. As tech leaders from war-affected regions share their perspectives, discussions are highlighting the role of innovation as a form of resilience, especially for those still directly impacted by conflict. The debates at Web Summit this week will likely influence the direction of tech regulation, international partnerships, and potential strategies for geopolitical stability, particularly as companies and nations strategize around Trump’s possible policies.