After Breton: Who Holds the Reins of AI in the EU?

When Thierry Breton stepped down as European Commissioner in 2024, he left behind a legacy of ambition and vision for Europe’s technological future. Breton had pushed for digital sovereignty, stronger industrial and AI policies and a robust regulatory framework. Yet, the landscape he helped shape has evolved into something far more complex than any single individual could steer.

Central to this new era is the European Artificial Intelligence Office, established shortly before the AI Act came into force in August 2024. This office has become the linchpin of AI governance across the European Union, overseeing compliance, conducting audits of foundation models, coordinating across member states and setting technical standards. In effect, it functions as the central authority ensuring that AI development in Europe aligns with the new regulatory framework.

A Networked Approach

Power over AI is no longer concentrated in the hands of one commissioner. Instead, responsibility is distributed across a network of institutions. The AI Office works alongside the European AI Board, which brings together representatives from all member states to harmonize enforcement and exchange expertise. At the national level, each country maintains its own authorities tasked with local oversight and implementation. Beyond government, private companies and research institutions contribute through initiatives like the EU AI Pact, voluntarily aligning with EU standards even before full compliance is legally required.

This distributed model reflects the realities of governing a complex, rapidly evolving technology like AI. It combines centralized oversight with localized execution and embeds stakeholders from the private and academic sectors to provide legitimacy and practical insight.

Breton’s Enduring Influence

Although Breton is no longer directly in office, his imprint remains. The creation of the AI Office and the EU AI Pact can be traced back to his vision of a proactive, anticipatory regulatory environment. These institutions continue to embody his goal of making Europe a technologically sovereign and globally influential player, capable of shaping AI development and standards worldwide.

However, the shift to a networked system also means that no single individual can claim full credit—or bear full responsibility—for outcomes. Decisions now emerge from collaboration among the Commission, member states, technical experts and industry, creating a system that is slower and more complex, yet far more resilient and sustainable over time.

Challenges Ahead

This distributed power structure brings both strengths and challenges. The EU now has the tools to implement its AI framework consistently across all member states, increasing the likelihood of global influence. Yet coordination remains complex and differences among national authorities can slow implementation. Transparency, accountability and ethical oversight remain critical as private and public actors navigate their respective roles.

Europe’s Next Chapter

Breton’s departure marked the end of a symbolic era but not the end of his vision. Europe now operates through an intricate system designed to enforce AI regulation while fostering innovation and safeguarding democratic values. Whether the EU can achieve the technological sovereignty and global leadership he envisioned depends not on a single leader but on the effectiveness of this networked governance model. In the years ahead, how these institutions perform will determine Europe’s true place in the AI age.