Brussels, 8 January 2025 – Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is consolidating its influence in Brussels with the appointment of Jan Kavalírek as the region’s first-ever Ambassador for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies. The former Czech Deputy Minister has been tasked with advocating for the region’s unified interests to ensure that EU AI regulations support the growth of the CEE innovation ecosystem and strengthen its competitive edge. The initiative is driven by the AI Chamber, the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic (SPČR), the Czech National AI Platform (CNAIP), and the Association for Applied Research in IT (AAVIT).
Established as a strategic response to the fast-moving landscape of European digital legislation, this pivotal role aims to consolidate the collective influence of leading CEE industry and research organisations to actively shape EU legislation on artificial intelligence and digital regulation, including the AI Act, the Data Act and forthcoming Digital and AI Omnibus packages. The Ambassador will coordinate a single regional voice toward EU institutions, with a clear mandate to reduce regulatory burden and ensure European AI policy supports industrial deployment and scale-up.
“CEE combines a strong industrial base with top-tier expertise and the capacity to implement innovations quickly,” emphasizes Jan Kavalírek. “Yet until now, the region has lacked a coordinated voice in Brussels. In this role, I aim to build on earlier initiatives and, together with our partners, ensure that CEE perspectives are heard and reflected in European decision-making. Our priorities will be cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and strengthening competitiveness – not just for CEE, but for the European Union as a whole.”
“For industry, it is essential that European regulation is predictable and feasible in practice.” – adds Milena Jabůrková, Vice-President of the Confederation of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic.
Tomasz Snażyk, CEO of AI Chamber, adds: “Bringing our voices together is essential to prevent policies that stifle innovation or hold back SMEs and startups – the backbone of Europe’s economy. A coordinated CEE approach is key to keeping our companies competitive on the global stage.”
The CEE Ambassador for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies will operate in close collaboration with partner organizations and leading European platforms, including BusinessEurope, DIGITALEUROPE, and the CEE Digital Coalition. The role is designed as a professional, coordinating, and non-political position, anchored in shared priorities and a commitment to open dialogue with both EU institutions and regional partners.
Earlier in December, the AI Chamber, along with 13 organizations across Central and Eastern Europe, submitted an open letter to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament calling for a significantly strengthened and expanded Digital Omnibus. The letter welcomed the European Commission’s ambition to simplify and harmonise digital regulation, while warning that incremental adjustments would be insufficient given intensifying global competition in AI and advanced technologies.
