EU leaders are meeting in Dublin today, 13 November, for an informal summit on artificial intelligence hosted by Ireland as part of its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Watch live: Reuters is streaming from Dublin. Watch the Reuters live broadcast on X.
The leaders of the 27 member states and the President of the European Commission are taking part, with European Council President António Costa in the chair. Informal meetings of this kind are for open discussion and strategic reflection and do not normally adopt formal conclusions. According to the Irish Presidency, the meeting has two topics: artificial intelligence and Ukraine.
Two outside speakers are expected to address the leaders: Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist often called a godfather of AI, and Arthur Mensch, chief executive of the French AI company Mistral. Hinton is due to speak on the wider impact of AI on society and on security and trust.
Topics expected to come up include Europe's standing and "sovereignty" in AI, reducing reliance on overseas technology, international cooperation on AI governance, and balancing regulation with innovation and growth. Safety and stronger safeguards are also on the table. Some reports describe it as the first time EU leaders have held a dedicated discussion on AI.
No detailed programme has been published. JAM is following the day as it happens in the live coverage below.
Latest updates
EU leaders are in Dublin for an informal summit on artificial intelligence, with Geoffrey Hinton and Mistral AI's Arthur Mensch due to address them. JAM is following the day as it happens.
Martin, Metsola and Kallas on AI
By JAM Editorial TeamBefore the talks, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said leaders would look at the balance between regulation and innovation, and at tech sovereignty, according to a Euronews report with AFP.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was tired of hearing that the EU had "somehow lost the AI race". EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned of a "dark side of AI" and said drones equipped with artificial intelligence are being used on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The report does not say what Arthur Mensch or Geoffrey Hinton told leaders. JAM will report their remarks once they are confirmed.
Envoy question: initial debate only, names expected later
By JAM Editorial TeamEUobserver reported on 11 November that European Council President António Costa agreed to discuss a possible EU envoy for the Ukraine peace process at the Dublin meeting. An EU source told the outlet this would be an initial debate on the role's structure and mandate, with candidates expected to wait for the December summit. Euronews separately says that if nothing is decided in Dublin, Ukraine financing and related questions go to a special European Council on 26 and 27 November. JAM has not seen any decision from today's meeting.
Correction: Mensch and Hinton remarks not yet reported
An earlier update said Mensch described Mistral's efforts and that Hinton put the risk of AI causing human extinction at 10 to 20 per cent. The Euronews article we cited was a preview published before the meeting. It said Mensch was due to speak in the first session, on competitiveness and sovereignty, and Hinton in the second, on AI's societal impact. It did not report what either said at the summit. The 10 to 20 per cent figure is an estimate Euronews attributes to Hinton in general, not a remark made in Dublin. JAM will report their remarks once they are confirmed by a reliable source.By JAM Editorial TeamHost Martin: AI's risks need attention
By JAM Editorial TeamTaoiseach Micheál Martin, hosting the meeting at the Convention Centre Dublin, said before the talks that AI is advancing quickly and will significantly shape economies, societies and democracies, and that its risks need attention, according to the Irish Presidency.
On Ukraine, he said the EU is working towards a just, lasting and sustainable peace, and called support for Ukraine a central priority of Ireland's presidency.
Correction: Ukraine is also on the agenda
By JAM Editorial TeamAn earlier version of our story said AI was the only item on the agenda. That was wrong. The Irish Presidency's official release says the meeting has two topics: artificial intelligence and Ukraine.
Euronews: Ukraine envoy question looms over AI summit
By JAM Editorial TeamThe question of who should represent Europe in Ukraine peace talks has loomed over the AI discussion, Euronews reports. The report was written before the meeting began.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni wrote to European Council President António Costa arguing that the EU's multiple negotiating formats make it less credible and calling for a clear mandate. Euronews says Costa agreed to put the issue on the agenda. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Europeans to settle on a representative by the end of the month, it adds.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the question of EU representation would be discussed behind closed doors, according to Euronews.
Mensch on sovereignty, Hinton on risk
By JAM Editorial TeamThe AI discussion ran in two parts, according to Euronews. The first covered Europe's competitiveness and sovereignty, with Mistral AI chief executive Arthur Mensch speaking about the company's efforts to compete with US and Chinese tech giants.
The second covered AI's impact on society. Euronews reports that Geoffrey Hinton put the risk of AI causing human extinction if it escapes human control at 10 to 20 per cent. JAM has not independently confirmed his remarks.
How the day is set to run
By JAM Editorial TeamMistral AI chief executive Arthur Mensch opens the first session, followed by questions and exchanges with leaders. A second session opens with a presentation by Nobel Prize-winning AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton, according to Cyprus Mail.
The discussions are due to feed into the EU leaders' informal retreat on 5 February 2027.
Watch: Reuters live from Dublin as leaders arrive
By JAM Editorial TeamReuters is streaming live as EU leaders arrive in Dublin for the AI summit. Watch the Reuters live broadcast on X.
JAM will post the key moments here through the day. No detailed programme has been published, so timings may shift.
Sources used for this report5 verified links
- Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU: Informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government
- Irish Presidency: Taoiseach Micheál Martin hosts informal meeting of the European Council
- Brussels Times: EU leaders to meet in Dublin for AI summit next week
- Superpower Daily: EU leaders put AI on Dublin summit agenda, with Geoffrey Hinton among speakers
- Reuters live broadcast on X: EU leaders arrive for AI summit in Dublin
