Conference Presentation, Fireside Chat, Interview
AI, Security & Economic Power: A New Playbook for Democracies | Sebastian Kurz | RAISE Summit 2026
- The U.S. economy is projected to experience historic growth driven by hundreds of billions of dollars in AI-related capital expenditure, with productivity gains already emerging as firms integrate the technology.
- U.S. unemployment is forecast to remain below 5 percent while the administration emphasizes a private-sector-led approach to innovation supported by conditions that allow builders to operate rapidly.
- A 30-day security evaluation window is being sought by the U.S. government for the most powerful AI models, though the broader policy stance favors unrestricted technology use prior to such specific assessments.
- Significant talent migration is expected as European AI developers seek opportunities to participate in the global AI revolution, though the region faces the risk of falling behind.
- Europe risks a disastrous outcome unless it accelerates its AI capabilities, requiring mass regulatory simplification and strict consideration of growth impacts for every new regulation.
- Europe must pursue data sovereignty across sensitive government, financial, and security sectors, while hybrid warfare and cyber attacks are expected to intensify as threats to nations.
- Vertical integration of the entire AI stack is flagged as a resource drain, potentially diverting tens of billions of dollars and thousands of engineers from future innovation to re-creating existing infrastructure.
- Trade friction between the U.S. and the EU is anticipated to persist, largely centered on the Digital Markets Act, which U.S. officials view as a non-tariff trade barrier.
- Europe's economic strength is deemed essential to fund its social welfare systems, with competitiveness identified as the primary driver for regaining economic success.
- China is expected to maintain control of 90 to 99 percent of the global rare earth market and 50 to 85 percent of the smartphone market.
- Quantum technology remains premature for immediate strategic deployment, while the transformative impact of AI on communication, education, and industrial operations is anticipated.
- Sebastian Kurz, a figure regularly contacted by his party, indicates no immediate plans to return to political office despite his focus on the critical economic and security challenges facing the region.