SĂ©bastien

Interesting divergence in the tech landscape: While the US sees a $21B spending spree from Meta & CoreWeave, OpenAI is pausing the UK "Stargate" supercomputer due to energy friction.
It raises a critical question for European policymakers: Are we ready to host the next generation of AI, or will "Green Tape" push infrastructure investment elsewhere?
I explores the grid vs. growth dilemma. 🇪🇺🔌

https://europeanit.substack.com

#DeepTech #EnergyPolicy #EuropeanUnion #Newsletter

European It! | SĂ©bastien Deschamps | Substack

European IT! is a Europe-first media project exploring digital sovereignty, privacy, and innovation across the continent. We break down EU tech policy, spotlight European software and cloud alternatives, and analyze the shifting balance. Click to read "European It!", by SĂ©bastien Deschamps, a Substack publication. Launched 7 months ago.

Apr 12 at 1:12pmWeb
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend before questioning that, we should first and utmost be asking: do we really need AI?
Show threadSĂ©bastienApr 12
@timagal That is certainly a valid starting point. However, even if the debate continues, the rest of the world is moving forward. The policy challenge remains: does Europe want to lead in that future or be dependent on innovations shaped elsewhere?
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend tell me something that AI can do better than humans other than determine the bombing little girls schools... I mean, yes, it is a convenient curiosity, but there is no need to invest trillion to build a military complex and then try to justify it as for civilian use. Have you seen the water situation in the US? They are going to end up eating bits and bytes for breakfast.
Show threadSĂ©bastienApr 12
@timagal The claim that AI infrastructure is exclusively for 'bombing schools' is factually incorrect and unrelated to the commercial investment discussed here. I welcome debate, but let's engage in good faith and stick to the topic. The post concerns Europe's energy policy and investment, not military conspiracy theories. Please offer factual arguments relevant to the 'Green Tape' dilemma rather than digressing into unrelated political issues.
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend https://www.techpolicy.press/booming-military-spending-on-ai-is-a-windfall-for-tech-and-a-blow-to-democracy/
Booming Military Spending on AI is a Windfall for Tech—and a Blow to Democracy

The imperative to win a global AI race is supercharging the tech industry’s influence, write Brian J. Chen, Tina M. Park, and Alex Pasternack.

Tech Policy Press
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend https://jacobin.com/2026/04/openai-defense-contracts-tech-militarism
OpenAI Is Bleeding Cash. Its Solution? Military Contracts.

In an age of algorithmically generated “kill lists,” anxieties about AI integration into military decision-making are justifiably mounting. OpenAI’s recent hiring of over a dozen former defense bureaucrats does nothing to allay these concerns.

Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend Europe's water crisis: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/europes-water-crisis-drought-worse-grace
Europe’s water crisis is much worse than we thought

This year’s historic drought was just one part of the story: New findings reveal an alarming decline of freshwater in the continent’s aquifers.

Environment
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend So, do you still think it is conspiratorial, or shall we move to the energy crisis in Europe?
Show threadSĂ©bastienApr 12
@timagal Those points are not relevant to the 'Green Tape' and commercial investment dilemma (Which is the original post). Let's stick to the energy question: do you believe Europe's grid can support this growth? (not water crisis, or any other crisis)
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend it depends on the purpose. It is but obvious that those countries which have purchased Palantir services, or Blue Wolf/Red Wolf, will be pressured to instate significant Data Centres. These military/police "enforcement" applications are the most resource-demanding. If we are talking about a EU-only and EU-restrictive infrastructure, I don't think it will require that many resources. I mean, most people don't even know that the way they use AI can even be self-hosted, so low on (1/2)
Show threadTMApr 12
@sebastiend (2/2) resources it actually is. If you keep and make sure you keep the Americans and the Israelis out of it, and their mass surveillance structures, it can be perfectly sustainable.