Europe has the potential to be a leader in technology, provided that regulations and cultural attitudes are in harmony.

      As an American who was born and raised in New York City, I have witnessed the transformative impact of US entrepreneurial spirit on the global stage. The ambition, creativity, and unwavering determination that have driven the nation's economy for generations have also served as a catalyst for worldwide prosperity, stability, and innovation. However, I am increasingly alarmed as the US adopts a confrontational and unpredictable approach to unilateral power. My concern extends beyond America; it encompasses the broader world.

      For the last several years, I have been observing these trends from Europe, where I have settled with my family in the Netherlands and serve as the CEO of Qorium, a cultivated leather startup. While I have been impressed by the high-quality infrastructure and public services here, I have also faced the frustrations commonly associated with Europe, such as slow decision-making, risk aversion, and burdensome regulations. Over time, I've come to view these as aspects to engage with rather than flaws to eliminate. They represent a system that prioritizes resilience, teamwork, predictability, rationality, and long-term strategies over speed, showmanship, and adversarial politics. This gives Europe a distinct advantage in the global pursuit of technological leadership, a position it can strengthen through regulatory reform. Nevertheless, achieving this success will require a significant cultural shift.

      There are encouraging signs on the regulatory front. Europe is charting a new course that aligns technological ambition with public trust, democratic integrity, and stability.

      For instance, take the AI Act. Often regarded by Americans as slow and overly bureaucratic, it represents the world's first genuine effort to create a cohesive framework for AI development and implementation. Instead of leaving developers in a regulatory fog or burdening them with inconsistent national laws, the act provides clear risk categories and compliance routes. While it demands accountability—possibly too much at this moment—it also delivers certainty. In fields such as biotech, healthtech, and critical infrastructure, where uncertainty is often more prohibitive than regulation, this is vital, especially as the US grows increasingly unpredictable.

      The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act are also noteworthy. These regulations not only seek to curb the excesses of Big Tech but also aim to establish a more competitive and open digital landscape. Together with GDPR, which has become a global benchmark (despite its shortcomings), these frameworks indicate that Europe is no longer satisfied with merely following rules in the digital era. It is evolving into a rule-maker, increasingly becoming a center for responsible innovation.

      This regulatory transparency is already yielding results. European universities and research institutions are receiving more applications from non-EU nationals. International PhD and postdoctoral researchers, especially in ethically sensitive or impactful fields, are beginning to view Europe not just as a temporary stop but as a permanent base. Venture capital is also rising, with significant increases in funding for deep tech startups across Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Although Europe may not produce the immediate paper unicorns like Silicon Valley, it encourages sustainable, scalable innovation with real impacts.

      On the cultural front, however, there is still work to be done. Processes, structures, and legislation, no matter how effective, cannot substitute for the passion, optimism, and relentless drive that characterize American entrepreneurship.

      Europe must learn to believe in itself and, if not to "move fast and break things," at least speed up its current pace. Honestly, there is a need for a stronger work ethic—an outlook that is not easily acquired.

      Nevertheless, the overall progress is encouraging. Pan-European initiatives—ranging from Horizon Europe to the European Innovation Council—are addressing these gaps with billions in coordinated funding and support for high-impact research and technology transfer. Perhaps most optimistically, there is an increasing sense of urgency among European policymakers that innovation is not just about competitiveness; it’s about values, focus, and prioritization.

      This stands in stark contrast to the current climate in the US. Higher education is under attack, with book bans, department funding cuts, and educators being dismissed for presenting factual history. Federal rhetoric is openly antagonistic toward fundamental scientific truths. Research funding has been weaponized. If the US stops being a refuge for open inquiry and intellectual freedom, it risks losing its best and brightest minds.

      And that is already happening. More international students are opting for Canada, Australia, and EU nations rather than the US, citing visa issues, political instability, and cultural hostility. American researchers are also beginning to seek opportunities abroad for similar reasons. The long-term consequences of this brain drain will be significant. In contrast, Europe is sending a different message: that science and innovation are public resources, that truth transcends partisan disputes, and that education is a right rather than a privilege. For global talent—whether an AI ethicist, a quantum physicist, or a biotech entrepreneur—this message is immensely appealing.

      To be clear, Europe is not without flaws, and I still hold faith in American innovation. However, the global competition for talent and innovation is accelerating. The landscape is evolving, and Europe is