On 2 June 2026, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) hosted the latest edition of its European AI Roundtable in Brussels. The event brought together EU policymakers, leading AI developers, representatives of the creative industries, academics, and civil society to discuss the intersection of AI and copyright.
The discussion focussed on the ongoing review of the EU Copyright Directive and the European Commission’s recent call for evidence on a ‘targeted initiative’ on AI and copyright, expected in early 2027.
Participants discussed the economic benefits of the text-and-data-mining (TDM) exemption enshrined in the Copyright Directive, as well as recent developments in the European licensing market and the social and cultural value of TDM. The discussion also covered the functioning of the EU’s regulatory framework, with the AI Act’s copyright chapter set to enter into application this August.
The Roundtable marked the launch of a new independent study by Implement Consulting Group, conducted in collaboration with the Ifo Institute, titled ‘The TDM Equation’. Its authors explained that restricting the use of commercial TDM would put €600 billion a year at risk for the EU through slower adoption, less powerful models, lower R&D productivity, and making it harder for European AI companies to develop and scale.
Participants warned that restricting the current TDM framework could have severe economic consequences and slow the development and use of AI in the EU. At the same time, they recognised the need for rightsholders to be able to express more granular preferences when exercising their opt-out entitlement.
The Roundtable discussion highlighted that maintaining a stable and predictable legal framework that supports investment and innovation is essential if the EU is to adopt and develop AI at scale and remain competitive globally.
Explore the album below for photos of speakers and discussions from the day.
