A series of monthly sessions for MEP assistants, advisors and EP staff

As part of our commitment to offering opportunities for deepening knowledge and understanding of key digital policy issues, we will host a series of Tech Masterclasses. These sessions are designed for MEP assistants, advisors, and EP staff, and will complement our regular programme of MEP-led debates and visits. The aim is to offer insightful trainings in a neutral learning environment to share knowledge on tech-related issues that are at the basis of digital policies.

All Masterclasses are conducted by tech experts who break down the technology for a non-expert audience, and by facilitators who help bridge the technical aspects with their implications for policy and society.

The sessions run only in-person, over lunch, in the EP salons. Presentations are video recorded (except for Q&As) and materials are made available to participants. 

Members can also access the video recordings on our Videos section (log-in required). 

Do you want to take part in the Tech masterclasses? Click on the below class you are interested and fill in the form.

The following 7 themes have been selected for the first edition of the Masterclasses, with the aim to cover technologies underlying multiple policy debates, either ongoing or emerging:

• • Connectivity infrastructure

    Learn how fiber optics, mobile networks, submarine cables, and satellites work together to create the global communication infrastructure Europeans rely on every day. Understand how they interconnect to deliver fast, reliable internet and communication services worldwide. 

    Date: 7 November 2024
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Owen Bryant, Head of Global Infrastructure & Deployment, Vodafone
    Facilitator: Anna Renata Pisarkiewicz, Research Fellow, European University Institute

  • The Internet

    Discover the technology that operates behind the Internet European citizens use every day, ensuring seamless data transmission and sharing worldwide, and its governance implications and challenges. 

    Date: 5 December 2024
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Lars Johan Liman, Senior Systems Specialist and co-founder, NetNod 
    Facilitator: Pearse O'Donohue, Director, Future Networks Directorate, DG CONNECT, European Commission 

  • Cloud technology

    How does Cloud technology work? Why use remote servers to manage, store, and process data instead of local servers or personal computers? Learn how cloud computing allows scalable, on-demand access to resources and services, and explore its applications in data storage, processing, and software deployment. 

    Date: 6 February 2025
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Rob Elsinga, National Technology Office (NTO), Microsoft
    Facilitator: Francisco Mingorance, Counselor and Executive Secretary at CISPE (Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe)

  • Artificial Intelligence

    How does AI work? Delve with us into the transformative world of AI, explore the foundational concepts, from machine learning and neural networks to natural language processing and computer vision. Understand how AI systems are developed, trained, and deployed across various fields, with a reflection on the ethical considerations and policy implications of AI technology. 

    Date: 20 March 2025
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Ajit Jaokar, Visiting Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford and author of the EIF report ‘The Digital World toward 2040’
    Facilitator: Kai Zenner, head of office and digital policy adviser to MEP Axel Voss, rapporteur on the AI Act

  • Quantum computing

    What is Quantum computing? What are its potential applications? Explore the principles of quantum mechanics that power quantum computers and how they differ from classical computing. By harnessing the power of quantum computing, these algorithms can solve problems currently intractable for classical computers, driving innovation and advancement across a wide range of sectors, including cryptography, drug discovery, and climate modeling. 

    Date: 10 April 2025
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Martin Schulz, Full Professor and Chair for Computer Architecture and Parallel Systems, Technische Universität München (TUM)
    Facilitator: Jeanette Miriam Lorenz, Acting Head of Business Unit & Head of Department at Fraunhofer IKS

  • Cybersecurity

    Delve into the critical aspects of protecting digital assets in today's interconnected world. Explore key topics such as network security, encryption, risk management, and incident response. Understand the best practices and strategies to safeguard data and systems across various industries, and the roles played by state actors and non state actors. Equip yourself with the knowledge to stay ahead of emerging threats. 

    Date: 5 June 2025
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Jean-Charles Griviaud, Chief Security Officer at Cisco Systems France
    Facilitator: Christiane Kirketerp de Viron, Acting Director, Digital Society, Trust and Cybersecurity, European Commission

  • Blockchain

    Discover the principles and transformative potential of Blockchain technology. Learn about decentralized ledgers, cryptographic security, and consensus mechanisms. Explore how blockchain is revolutionizing industries like finance, supply chain, and healthcare. Understand practical applications such as cryptocurrencies and smart contracts, and gain insights into future trends and challenges. 

    Date: 26 June 2025
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Nicola Attico, BlockChain Engineer and Senior Product Manager at ServiceNow's Innovation Office
    Facilitator: Robert Kopitsch, Secretary General, Blockchain for Europe

  • Methods for Filtering and Blocking: Technical Implications and Effects

    This masterclass will focus on the functionality of network blocking and filtering. Such technical measures are designed to prevent users from reaching specific websites or content by filtering traffic at various levels of networking infrastructure. Considering ongoing policy discussions within the EU, including the proposed regulation to combat child sexual abuse material online, understanding the operational principles, limitations, and effects of such blocking systems is essential. The session will describe mechanisms for DNS blocking, IP filtering, and URL-based content restrictions, as well as their effectiveness and potential for circumvention -- for both static and streaming content. After the technical portion of the presentation, the session will explore some real-world examples, taking no position on the relative merits of any mechanism, while taking into account the protection of commercial interests, property rights, citizen safety, freedom of expression, and access to information.

    Date: 19 March 2026
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: TBC
    Facilitator: Anna De Marchi, Policy Officer, DSA Enforcement, European Commission - invited

    Register

  • Robotics

    Robotics is undergoing a major transformation as AI, advanced sensors, and simulation technologies push robots beyond repetitive tasks toward autonomous decision-making in real-world environments. The key challenge is integrating perception, decision-making, and control in real time while ensuring safety. Generative simulation platforms enable training and testing in physics-based virtual environments, accelerating innovation and reducing cost and risk. These advances will impact healthcare, transportation, and education, improving efficiency and sustainability. This session explores core challenges, the disruptive role of AI, and real-world use cases reshaping industry and society.

    Date: 16 April 2026
    Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (lunch provided)
    Venue: European Parliament salons

    Expert: Dr. Timo Kistner, Electrical Engineer and EMEA Industry Lead – NVIDIA
    Facilitator: Name TBC

    Register